The talk presents the background to the formation and evolution of the Saunders Roe Company at Columbine Works, East Cowes.

The origins of the 'large flying boat' concept are traced that resulted in a UK Government contract being placed in 1945 with Saunders Roe for design and construction of the SR45 Princess, with BOAC as a somewhat reluctant “customer”.

Design, development and construction of the Princess and the facilities employed at East Cowes in the course of the project are described together with the build-up to the first flight and flight test programme.

The reasons for the eventual demise of the Princess are identified that eventually led to all three Princess craft being scrapped in the 1960s, despite various efforts to find an alternative use. Some relics of Saunders Roe and the Princess project that remain in existence are identified.