Here's How Princess Anne Was Received On The Latest Leg Of Her Royal Tour
Princess Anne has been on a three-day royal tour of Australia on behalf of Queen Elizabeth ahead of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee (via The Telegraph). Beginning her tour in Sydney, Princess Anne has completed a series of successful events while representing the British royal family in the Commonwealth nation. This stands in stark contrast to Prince William and Kate Middleton's recent royal tour, which became messier and messier as the days progressed. For the most part, Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, have been well-received at each new location.
During a visit to the NSW Rural Fire Service, the Princess Royal met with families who were directly impacted by the horrific bushfires that ravaged Australia throughout 2019 and 2020 (via Sky News Australia). Anne expressed her sadness over the devastating situation and paid tribute to the 34 victims lost in the tragic fires. Her sincerity and earnest sympathies were appreciated by those in attendance. "She'd been watching this from afar," said Melissa O'Dwyer, who lost her husband, Andrew O'Dwyer, in the bushfires (per Express). Melissa went on to say of the Princess Royal, "It was like, 'Wow, she wants to meet us.'"
Now, Princess Anne is embarking on the latest leg of her royal tour which has brought her to the shores of Papua New Guinea, where she was received with a warm welcome.
Princess Anne was greeted warmly upon her arrival in Papua New Guinea
Following the success of Princess Anne's three-day royal tour in Australia, the 71-year-old arrived in Papua New Guinea on April 12 for the last leg of events. As reported by the Daily Mail, the Princess Royal was warmly welcomed by a group of schoolchildren from Caritas Technical Secondary School. The students composing the group adorned traditional Papua New Guinea clothes and bestowed Princess Anne with a beautiful floral arrangement. She was then brought to the Secondary School where she embarked on a tour of the facilities and met with members of the staff.
While there are a number of things Princess Anne has not been allowed to do on behalf of the British royal family over the years, representing Queen Elizabeth on royal tours is one of Anne's granted duties. As such, the Princess Royal was able to tour several locations upon her arrival in Papua New Guinea. Following her time at the Caritas Technical Secondary School, she paid visit to the Hanuabada Village as well as the Port Moresby General Hospital. Princess Anne had been invited to the hospital to help open the National Cardiac Diagnostic Centre, per Evening Standard U.K.
Overall, it appears as though the Princess Royal has had a successful (and eventful!) first day in the Commonwealth nation.