Back in 1821 the proposed launching of the "Essex" Lifeboat at Harwich promoted the idea of a rowing and sailing regatta. However, after two postponements of the launching, the regatta never materialised. This failure was rectified in 1828 when a full scale regatta was held in honour of the Lord High Admiral, the Duke of Clarence, later William IV. The success of this event ensured that regattas at Harwich became an annual fixture. These regattas were organised by a committee, who at dinner after the 1843 Regatta decided to combine with local yachtsmen to form a yacht club. Thus on 28th September, 1843 the bare bones of the Royal Harwich were laid, albeit initially named the Eastern Yacht Club. Despite a successful regatta the following year, no progress had been made to the development of the club. William Knight, a local yachtsman then took charge of a rapid reconstruction, obtaining in 1845 Royal Patronage from the Dowager Queen Adelaide, William IV's widow as well as an Admiralty Warrant for members to fly the defaced Blue Ensign. A report of the Club's formation appeared that year in the "Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle", and from that point the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, as it had been named, went from strength to strength.

The year 1846 saw patronage granted on behalf of the Monarch Queen Victoria together with her Consort Prince Albert. After Prince Albert's untimely death, the Queen remained as patron until her death in 1901. During this period the Royal Harwich achieved much, as the earliest Minute Books show, including a challenge for the America's Cup and the granting of further Admiralty Warrants. Rules and regulations were formulated and adjusted to suit the expansion of the Club with printed sets made available to all members in 1869.

Towards the end of the 19th century Royal patronage was particularly appropriate to the major yacht clubs as the Queen's son Edward Prince of Wales had joined the yachting scene with the acquisition of the Cutter Yacht Britannia and his election as Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron. His son, the Duke of York was also a keen yachtsman, and with his election as Commodore to the Royal Harwich in 1895 started a long and affectionate relationship with the Club. He remained Commodore as Prince of Wales, and in 1910 after his succession granted patronage as King George V. The start of each sailing season saw His Majesty entertained by the members of the Royal Harwich after the "Down Swin" race in a manner befitting a previous Commodore!

Royal patronage lapsed after the death of George V in 1936. Edward VIII had no interest in yachting. The only occasion on which he had been aboard the "Britannia" he spent the entire day driving golf balls off the counter, much to the annoyance of his father. His abdication was followed by wartime, so club matters lay relatively dormant until 1948 when through the enthusiasm of Frank Hussey, club librarian and historian, patronage from King George VI was requested and granted. His Majesty George VI remained patron to the Royal Harwich until his death in 1952.

Accepting condolences from club members at this time, Buckingham Palace advised that HRH Prince Philip, an active dinghy and Dragon class sailor, would be pleased to be asked to accept the post of patron to the Royal Harwich, and it was with great pleasure that his acceptance was received in 1952. Further delight was expressed in 1958 at the visit of HM the Queen and HRH Prince Philip on board the Royal Yacht Britannia to Harwich at which occasion a special edition of Frank Hussey's "Royal Yachts and Yachting at Harwich" was presented to Prince Philip on behalf of the Royal Harwich.

One hundred and fifty years on from the inauguration of the Club at the 1843 Regatta Dinner, the Royal Harwich Yacht Club is proud and honoured to have His Royal Highness as its patron, and pledges its continued allegiance and loyalty to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and HRH Prince Philip.