The Regatta is organised by a committee, and a review is presented at a public meeting each year called by Dartmouth Town Council.
In 1834 the regatta, which used to be run by leading gentlemen of the neighbourhood, changed its format when the inhabitants of the town called a meeting and elected a committee of their own.
Prince Albert and his son went up to Sharpham Point in the new steamboat Dartmouth, which had arrived on the river only the previous day.
The Queen then drove in a carriage over 'The Ridges' to the 'Black House' at the junction of Jaw Bones/Swannaton Road/Stoke Fleming Road.
The Queen donated £25 and Prince Albert gave £20 for three rowing races to be competed for by the sailors of Dartmouth and this was done on the second day of the regatta.
The patron was Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, he last visited the Royal Regatta on its 175th anniversary celebrations in 2019.
The West of England Amateur Rowing Association holds one stage of its championship on the Thursday.
In addition, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Typhoon, Harrier and Jaguar aircraft have displayed, along with RN Sea King and Chinook helicopters.
In recent years it has also had The Royal Artillery parachute display team landing in the river Dart.
Throughout the week there are free public performances in the bandstand in the Royal Avenue Gardens, commencing in the morning and running to 1030pm or later.