We are delighted that His Majesty has accepted Honorary Life Membership of this historic Mersey club.
Norway's King Harald has been given honorary membership to a British yacht club.
The monarch, who competed in the Olympics three times, has accepted an invitation from Dr. Nicholas Jedynakiewicz - the former commodore of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club (RMYC) in Rock Ferry to become an Honorary Life Member of the organisation.
Current commodore David Massey said: "We are delighted that His Majesty has accepted Honorary Life Membership of this historic Mersey club."
Although Harald is the first non-British royal family member to join the club, it has had links with the British royal family since it was founded in 1844 with Queen Victoria as its patron.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is the current patron and recently held a private reception at Buckingham Palace for Dr. Jedynakiewicz to introduce the new patron.
In 2008, Harald sailed to victory in his yacht Sira - which was built for his father King Olav V - taking first place in the eight metre class in the World Championship of traditional sailing.