Princess Anne has issued an apology after having to cancel two engagements on Wednesday. The cancellation took place due to technical problems with the aircraft that the royal was set to travel in.
Anne, 75, who is often dubbed the hardest-working royal, had been due to attend events in Holywood and south Belfast. The BBC has reported that a spokesperson said that Anne “apologised to any who were disappointed or inconvenienced as a result of the technical issues”.
The spokesperson also added that the royal hoped “to make arrangements to visit on another occasion”.
The publication’s announcement came as some of the guests Anne had been due to meet were invited to a garden party at Hillsborough Castle, held later on September 10.
School pupils in Liverpool were given a tour of Anne’s helicopter after she landed in their playing field to head to a reception at the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.
Sporting a dark coat and a taupe feathered hat at the garden part, Anne presented a military veteran with the British Empire Medal (BEM).
Norman Irwin, who is 106, is the oldest person to be presented with a BEM for his voluntary work in his hometown of Coleraine, Co Londonderry.
During their meeting, Anne told him: “Thank you for telling your story and thank you for helping other people and being the founding member of REME (the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers).”
Speaking of his dad, Norman’s son David said: “He did so much for his country during the war as so many people did, and it’s so amazing to see him getting this award. I’m incredibly proud being here today. He’s such an amazing man, very cheeky, and he has done so much throughout his life. This is a really touching, really heartfelt moment. He is amazing. He’s an incredible man…”
After the ceremony, Anne then greeted guests in the garden at the castle, where she also planted a tree.