Princess Anne is set to undertake her biggest royal engagement of the year so far next week as she prepares to jet abroad.
The Princess Royal, 74, will be visiting the Republic of South Africa from January 21 until January 22 to carry out a series of engagements, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
As President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), Anne will unveil the Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial, which honours the contribution of South African military labourers of the First World War.
The memorial, which will be opened by Anne next week, is also part of the CWGC’s commitment to ensure all those who died in the two World Wars are commemorated equally.
This will include visits to the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA), the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) and the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO).
The princess will also visit the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) to meet local communities and celebrate the work of projects currently being carried out around the area.
Before heading home to the UK, the King’s sister will also attend a reception at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Cape Town.
The royal visit to South Africa comes just months after Prince William’s visit in November last year.
The Prince of Wales attended the Earthshot Prize Awards during his solo visit and focused on the ongoing environmental work by organisations in the area.
He also revealed to members of the British press in South Africa that his wife Princess Kate, who finished chemotherapy just a month before the trip, was doing well and that the family had faced a “brutal” year.
While this visit may have been recent, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Anne herself had not visited South Africa since 2012 to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.
The princess has already carried out a number of engagements so far this year, including hosting a dinner at Windsor Castle and carrying out investitures.
