Royal fans have been left baffled over the latest royal announcement that Princess Anne will embark on an overseas visit to Sri Lanka next week.
King Charles III’s sister, who is often deemed the hardest-working royal, will be joined on the three-day visit by her husband Sir Timothy Laurence – the first royal trip abroad of 2024.
Although the visit is likely to be welcomed by many fans due to Anne’s growing popularity, some fans have been left confused as to why Prince William isn’t the one going to Sri Lanka.
Taking to X, one fan wrote: “Why is the Heir [to the throne] not the going to Sri Lanka. Such visits [are] usually attended by the Heir, especially since Sri Lanka is a Commonwealth country, one of the first sets of CW.”
The fan also pointed that the King last visited Sri Lanka in 2013 when he was still the Prince of Wales – the title now held by William.
For his visit in November 2013, the now-King was joined by the then-Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla.
The King has also paid several visits to Sri Lanka. He visited in February 2005, in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.
The monarch also paid a visit there in 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.
Remarking on the forthcoming visit, fans speculated as to why father-of-three Prince William is not going.
One fan suggested it could be “because of the kids” as it is, according to the fan, typically the reason given.
Another fan also suggested it could down to the children, writing: “I imagine it is during term term and they refuse to leave the kids”.
Other fans suggested that Princess Anne could have been “named on the invitation” or due to her “established relationship” with the PR organising the trip.
Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence will be in Sri Lanka between January 10th-12th at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The King and Queen are expected to visit Canada in May, and Australia, New Zealand and Samoa in October.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are also said to be visiting Rome later this year.
