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Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence receive warm welcome in Srilanka
King Charles, Queen Camilla expected to visit Canada in May, followed by visits to Australia, New Zealand, Samoa
Princess Anne embarked on the Royal Family's first overseas tour of 2024, receiving a warm welcome in Sri Lanka alongside her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
The couple's arrival was marked by a vibrant display of traditional dancers and musicians.
Notably, fans praised Princess Anne's down-to-earth move as she and Sir Timothy were spotted carrying their own bags off the commercial airline flight from London.
The royal Princess, often dubbed King Charles' "right-hand woman," showcased her practicality and relatability by carrying a bag in each hand and a handbag while descending the plane's steps.
Mirror reported that the admirers commended her with comments like "Princess Anne is a boss" and expressed admiration for her hands-on approach.
The three-day visit, undertaken at the request of the Foreign Office, aims to celebrate the UK's ties with Sri Lanka.
Princess Anne's itinerary includes engagements in Colombo, Kandy, and Jaffna, showcasing the diversity of the country.
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Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, highlighted the historic nature of the visit, especially the stop in Jaffna, a region not visited by a member of the royal family in many years.
"This visit is the best possible way to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka," he said.
Princess Anne's commitment to her royal duties, her practical demeanor, and the warm reception in Sri Lanka set a positive tone for the royal family's international engagements in 2024.
"That's the aim, to show her as much of the country, as much of the diversity as we can, and we think it’s the first visit by a member of the royal family to Jaffna, certainly in many many years, so that will be historic," Patrick shared.
According to reports, the tour is part of a broader plan, with King Charles and Queen Camilla expected to visit Canada in May, followed by visits to Australia, New Zealand, and Samoa in October.
