SIR PAUL GREENINGRear-Admiral Sir Paul Greening, who died on 5 November, 2008, aged 80, was a Royal Navy officer and courtier to the British Royal Family whose roles included commanding the royal yacht.He was Flag Officer of the Britannia and was responsible for transporting members of the family on official and unofficial business across the world.Excursions included taking the Prince and Princess of Wales on a Mediterranean cruise for their honeymoon in 1981 and helping the Queen Mother fulfill a life's dream by escorting her to Venice in 1984.During his command, which lasted from 1981 to 1985, Britannia travelled more than 115,000 miles and aided in royal visits from Southampton to San Francisco.Born into a naval family on 4 June, 1928,Sir Paulentered the military shortly after World War II and had several commands during a fine Navy career, before gladly accepting the post of Flag Officer Royal Yachts.During his time in charge of Britannia he lobbied that the ship be used to evacuate casualties in the Falklands War but was denied due to the unfeasible cost of fuelling her.In 1986 he became Master of the Household, heading the staff at the royal palaces. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Victorian Order shortly after retiring from the post in 1992.He was survived by a son and a daughter. His wife Monica died earlier in 2008.
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