Princess Anne was praised by a royal expert for being the first member of the Royal Family to embark on a royal tour in 2024 as she was hailed as “invaluable” to King Charles.
The Princess Royal received the royal welcome she deserves as she landed in Sri Lanka on Wednesday to mark her three-day visit.
She was joined by her husband Sir Timothy Laurence as she was pictured carrying her own bags as she got off the plane at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayak.
Anne’s visit will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Sri Lanka.
Now royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams described her visit as “significant” as it marks 75 years of Sri Lankan independence and follows one of the causes that is very close to her heart.
Fitzwilliams exclusively told Express.co.uk that the Princess Royal embodies what the British public most admire in a working royal.
He said: “Princess Anne is an example of what the public most admire in a working royal, she is dedicated, conscientious and prefers a low profile and no fuss.
“She also tends to be the hardest-working member of the royal family. With only four working royals under 70, she is invaluable to King Charles.”
The Princess Royal first became President for Save the Children UK in 1970, before transitioning to the role of Patron in 2017. She last visited the charity’s work in Sri Lanka in 1995.
Yesterday, Anne visited a hospital in Colombo where the charity runs a programme that helps young people from across the country – many of whom are suffering from chronic illnesses – express their feelings and build resilience through games and play.
She also visited Save the Children’s national office in Colombo and took part in the tradition of lighting a ceremonial oil lamp symbolising hope and prosperity – the same lamp she lit on her visit nearly 30 years ago.
It comes as Anne emerged as the hardest-working royal as well as the fourth most popular royal in 2023.
