Making the royal family’s first overseas tour of 2024, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence received a colourful traditional welcome to Sri Lanka.
The couple spent three days in the Commonwealth country to mark 75 years of its diplomatic relations with the UK.
Drummers and musicians performed as they were welcomed to Colombo by officials including Andrew Patrick, British high commissioner to Sri Lanka, who said the aim was to show Anne “as much of the country and its diversity as we can”.
HANDS-ON ROYAL
Second only to the King in the ranks of the hardest-working members of his family and known for her no-nonsense approach to royal duties, Anne, 73, was seen carrying her own bags off their commercial flight.
Asked about her workload, the Princess said: “In the context of the monarchy, it takes more than one person to be able to stay in contact, and we’re part of the eyes and ears.
“So we just want to get out and find out what’s going on and help support people who are doing an incredibly good job, wherever they are in the country, and that applies here too.
“There are charities here that do a fantastic job and that kind of ethos has to be supported, wherever you find it – so that’s not difficult.”
Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, gained independence in 1948 after more than a century of British rule and became a republic in 1972.
The Princess, who said the country had been “fundamental” to the Commonwealth’s growth, brought a message of friendship from her brother the King to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, congratulating his nation on the anniversary.
In his message, His Majesty recalled his mother Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the country just five months after her coronation in 1953, adding: “In the intervening years, we have maintained that enduring connection between our peoples.
“In the years ahead, the United Kingdom is committed to building an ever stronger, modern partnership with Sri Lanka.”
STRONG BOND
The Princess Royal, who has been described as His Majesty’s right-hand woman,
