Princess Anne began her third and final day in Sri Lanka by visiting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery (CWGC) in Colombo.
Her Royal Highness and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, are on a three-day tour of the Commonwealth nation at the request of the Foreign Office.
During her trip to the Commission’s Jaawatte Cemetery, Anne lay a wreath down while viewing some of the graves. She used a black umbrella and sunglasses to shield herself from the sun.
The princess wore a lightweight blue, patterned dress with a cream shoulder bag and white gloves. She decorated the outfit with a classic layered pearl necklace and earrings.
Princess Anne visits the Commission's Jaawatte Cemetery in Colombo.
PA
On Remembrance Weekend in November 2023, the princess was named the President of the CWGC, taking over the title from the Duke of Kent. She was also named the first Patron of the CWGC.
At the CWGC, Anne was introduced to the Defence Advisor for Sri Lanka and the Maldives’ British High Commission, Colonel Darren Woods.
Col. Woods led a Service of Remembrance which included an extract from the poem ‘For the Fallen,’ followed by a Bugler playing the Last Post.
The princess is now expected to visit Vajira Pillayar Kovil, a Hindu Temple in Colombo.
Princess Anne lays a wreath down by the graves.
PA
On arrival, Anne and her husband will be presented with a garland of jasmine and rose flowers, a silk shawl and a pottu in the middle of their foreheads.
During the visit, a Hindu Dance Group will perform for The Princess Royal and the Chief Priest of Vajira Pillayar Kovil, Sachithanantha will conduct a special blessing called a “pooja.”
The royal couple will then travel to the British Council to hear about how the UK and Sri Lanka build connections through education, arts and cultural ties.
At the British Council, Anne will view The Arches of Awe exhibition that shows photographs of 21 arches, known as ‘thoranas,’ that were erected across Colombo to welcome the late Queen Elizabeth II and the duke during their visit in 1954.
The princess visits a resettlement village at the Halo Trust site in Muhamalai.
PA
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In the afternoon, the princess is expected to visit The Mission to Seafarers, an organisation committed to caring for people who work on seagoing ships.
Anne has been President of the organisation since 1984 and his expected to open a new Family Room at the refurbished Mission to Seafarer Centre.
After meeting a selection of start-up companies at the Hatch Works’ co-working space, the princess will attend her final royal engagement at a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner.
During the reception, Anne is expected to meet a range of guests including members of the British community in Sri Lanka representing sectors like business, Arts and Culture, Religion and Sports.
To mark the end of her trip, the princess will make a speech about the relationship between Sri Lanka and the UK.
The Princess Royal is the hardest-working family member as she undertook 457 engagements.