Princess Anne's surprise visit to Barbados has sent a clear message of unity from Buckingham Palace.
Anne, 74, has completed a weekend visit to Barbados, where she was received by President Sandra Mason and Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
The Princess Royal arrived in the Caribbean nation to attend the Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences and undertake various engagements with local dignitaries and community members.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the visit through social media on Tuesday, stating: "Thank you to everyone who welcomed The Princess Royal to Barbados this weekend!"
Royal.uk
|Princess Anne's surprise visit to Barbados sends clear message from the Palace.
Barbados famously became a republic in 2021 and removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, attended the ceremony amid the COVID pandemic.
Princess Anne's royal visit sent a clear message of unity from the Palace. She met the President and the Prime Minister at a reception held at the British High Commission in Bridgetown, which also marked the King's official birthday celebrations.
The Palace stated: "During the visit, Her Royal Highness was received by The President and Prime Minister of Barbados."
King Charles praised his sister's diplomatic mission to the independent Commonwealth nation. The Palace statement noted that Princess Anne "made a surprise visit to the Barbados Defence Force and volunteered at a Field Medical Hospital in Paragon Base, Christ Church."
Royal.uk
|Princess Anne met the President and the Prime Minister of Barbados.
The visit strengthened ties between Britain and Barbados, with the Princess Royal receiving warm welcomes throughout her engagements across the Caribbean nation.
During her visit, Princess Anne attended the Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences, having assumed the role of President from her late father in 2011.
The conferences, established by Prince Philip in 1956, bring together emerging leaders from business, unions, civil service and non-profit sectors to examine social and economic challenges.
Princess Anne met with study groups and participated in the Caribbean-Canada Leaders Dialogue and Report-Back Dialogues. She also attended a board dinner and the conference's Closing Plenary Reception and Dinner.
PA
|King Charles with singer Rihanna at the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony to mark the birth of a new republic in Barbados in 2021.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
PA
|Barbados' President Sandra Mason awarded Charles with the Order of Freedom of Barbados during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
The mother-of-two paid her respects at a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, laying a wreath in remembrance of Barbadian Merchant Seamen who served during the Second World War. The cemetery visit included an 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day Service at Barbados Military Cemetery.
The Palace revealed that the Princess "laid a wreath at a @CommonwealthWarGraves Cemetery, in remembrance of Barbadian Merchant Seamen who served in WWII."
The Princess Royal also joined celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Barbados Olympic Association, meeting with staff members during the commemorative event.
The 74-year-old concluded her visit with a trip to the Regional Security System and Barbados Defence Force's Field Medical Hospital at Paragon Base in Christ Church. This marked her first visit to Barbados since accompanying Queen Elizabeth II in February 1966.