The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup is a

rowing Rowing is the act of propelling a human-powered watercraft using the sweeping motions of oars to displace water and generate reactional propulsion. Rowing is functionally similar to paddling, but rowing requires oars to be mechanically ...

event at

Henley Royal Regatta Henley Royal Regatta (or Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage) is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839. It differs from the thr ...

open to

school A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes co ...

1st VIIIs.

History

The event was instituted in 1946 for public schools in the United Kingdom. It was opened to entries from overseas in 1964, and that year

Washington-Lee High School Washington-Liberty High School, formerly known as Washington-Lee High School, is a public high school in the Arlington Public Schools district in Arlington, Virginia, covering grades 9–12. Its attendance area serves the central third of A ...

(United States) became the first overseas crew to win the event, beating

Groton School Groton School (founded as Groton School for Boys) is a private college-preparatory boarding school located in Groton, Massachusetts. Ranked as one of the top five boarding high schools in the United States in Niche (2021–2022), it is affiliated ...

, USA, in an all-American final. The inauguration of this race coincided with future queen Princess Elizabeth's first visit to the regatta, and so permission was given to name the trophy "The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup". The PE (as it is usually abbreviated) is one of only a few races in the regatta which does not allow composite crews to be entered, and as such each race is a straight competition between one club and another. As the most prestigious race of the school rowing year, the event attracts strong competition both from the UK and abroad. For British crews, winning the PE can be the final victory needed to win “the triple", a prestigious achievement which comprises winning the

Schools' Head of the River Race The Schools' Head of the River Race (SHORR) is the UK's largest school-age processional (head rowing) race and is organised by Westminster School for crews aged between 14 and 18 years old. It is held in Spring, the end of the head race season. ...

The National Schools Regatta National Schools' Regatta is the largest rowing regatta for junior rowers in Great Britain. Held annually in May, the three day regatta offers events for junior rowers between the categories J14 and J18. History The regatta was first raced in 19 ...

and finally the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, all in the same year. The "triple" has been achieved three times in recent years by

Eton College Eton College () is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI of England, Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. i ...

in 2005, 2009, and 2010 (and the "double" in 2021 as the

did not take place), twice by

Abingdon School Abingdon School is a day and boarding independent school for boys in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England. The twentieth oldest independent British school, it celebrated its 750th anniversary in 2006. The school was described as "highly ...

in 2002 and 2012, and by

St Paul's School (London) (''By Faith and By Learning'') , established = , closed = , type = Independent school Public school , religion = Church of England , president = , ...

in 2018. Both St Pauls and Eton have won the Youth Eights at the Head of the Charles Regatta whilst also winning the British domestic "triple." Eton, who won the HOCR and the triple in both 2008/09 and 2009/10 and St Paul's in 2017/18.

have won the PE a total of 15 times,

St Paul's School (London) (''By Faith and By Learning'') , established = , closed = , type = Independent school Public school , religion = Church of England , president = , ...

7 times, Ridley College (Canada) 5 times, and

Bedford School :''Bedford School is not to be confused with Bedford Girls' School, Bedford High School, Bedford Modern School, Old Bedford School in Bedford, Texas or Bedford Academy in Bedford, Nova Scotia.'' Bedford School is a public school (English ind ...

, Hampton School,

Pangbourne College Pangbourne College is a co-educational independent day and boarding school located in the civil parish of Pangbourne, in the English county of Berkshire. It is set in 230 acres, on a hill south-west of the village, in an Area of Outstanding Nat ...

Shrewsbury School Shrewsbury School is a public school (English independent boarding school for pupils aged 13 –18) in Shrewsbury. Founded in 1552 by Edward VI by Royal Charter, it was originally a boarding school for boys; girls have been admitted into ...

and St. Edward's School have each won the event 4 times.

Radley College Radley College, formally St Peter's College, Radley, is a public school (independent boarding school for boys) near Radley, Oxfordshire, England, which was founded in 1847. The school covers including playing fields, a golf course, a lake, an ...

are the most frequent losing finalists having done so on 7 occasions, followed by

on 6 occasions and

St Paul's School (London) (''By Faith and By Learning'') , established = , closed = , type = Independent school Public school , religion = Church of England , president = , ...

on 5 occasions. Hampton School and St. Edward's School have been the losing finalists on 4 occasions. The King's School Canterbury shares the record with

Oundle School Oundle School is a public school (English independent day and boarding school) for pupils 11–18 situated in the market town of Oundle in Northamptonshire, England. The school has been governed by the Worshipful Company of Grocers of the City ...

for most losses (4) in finals without having ever won the event. The PE was opened to international crews in 1964, since when American crews have won the event 14 times (and been losing finalists 18 times), Canadian crews 7 times (losing finalists twice), and Australian crews 3 times (losing finalists twice).

Winners

See table below.

Record times

The record holder for the event is St Paul's School (London), having finished the course in 6 minutes 06 seconds in the final against Eton College in 2018. They beat the previous record for the event by 11 seconds, held by

. The course record times for the event are: *1:46 to the Barrier (St. Paul's School 2018) *2:58 to Fawley (St. Paul's School 2018) *6:06 to the Finish (St. Paul's School 2018)

Sources

Henley Royal Regatta

References

{{HRRevents Recurring sporting events established in 1946 Events at Henley Royal Regatta Rowing trophies and awards Scholastic rowing in the United Kingdom