While royal watchers were patiently hoping Princess Anne would visit Australia as she travelled to New Zealand, it seems the British royal has already come and gone!
While returning to the UK, the Princess Royal made a secret stopover with husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence. This is her first visit to Australia since April 2022.
The Court Circular – which records official activities – confirmed the trip which occurred on February 18.
“The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, this morning departed Wellington International Airport, New Zealand, for Australia.”
During the quick visit, Princess Anne toured the Government House in Sydney, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Mounted Police Stables and Museum.
“Her Royal Highness, Colonel-in-Chief, Royal Australian Corps of Transport, later received Major General Suzanne Graham at Government House, Sydney, upon relinquishing her appointment as Head of Corps and Brigadier Natasha Ludwig upon assuming the appointment,” the Court Circular statement read.
“The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, afterwards toured the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney.”
The Princess Royal and her husband returned to London the following day.
From what we can tell, there are no photos from Anne and Sir Tim’s short visit to Australia.
But there are images from her visit to New Zealand despite the country being declared in a state of emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc across the North Island.
The severe weather, including an additional 6.3 magnitude earthquake, resulted in the royal undertaking numerous schedule changes.
As a result, she did not travel to Palmerston North’s Linton Military Camp for the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals centenary.
”I admire the courage of the people of Aotearoa during this alarming and difficult time,” she said.
”You should all be proud of the resilience, strength and care for your communities you are showing in the face of adversity.”