Princess Anne is scheduled to collaborate with a seldom-seen member of the Royal Family on a brief overseas journey next week. The Princess Royal will visit France alongside the Duke of Gloucester to commemorate the 110-year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
As the President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Anne will join forces with the Duke of Gloucester, who serves as the Honorary President of the Somme Association. The ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, aims to pay tribute to those who bravely fought and perished in one of the most devastating battles of the First World War.
It is uncommon to witness Anne and the Duke undertaking joint engagements, as the Duke, despite actively fulfilling official royal duties, typically maintains a low public presence.
The Duke, also recognized as Prince Richard, was a cousin of the late Queen, sharing King George V as their grandfather with Anne. Born on August 26, 1944, in Northampton, Prince Richard was fifth in line to the throne at birth, as the youngest son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.
In his royal capacity, the Duke has conducted official visits to various countries, including Malawi and the Solomon Islands. Recently, he made a rare appearance with the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour celebrations.
During their exceptional joint visit to the Thiepval Memorial in north-east France, both senior royals will unveil UNESCO plaques as part of the commemorative events. The memorial site stands as a place of remembrance for British and South African troops who sacrificed their lives between 1915 and March 1918, with their final resting sites unknown.
Additionally, the royals will participate in a ceremony at Ulster Tower, dedicated to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division who lost their lives during the Somme offensive, along with Ulstermen who served in other military units. After the joint service, the two royals will part ways for individual engagements.
Anne will visit the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, situated where the Newfoundland Regiment fought on July 1, 1916. Meanwhile, the Duke of Gloucester will engage in ceremonies at Guillemont Road Cemetery. This visit follows a decade after King Charles, then Prince of Wales, united with other Royal Family members for the battle’s centennial commemorations in France in 2016.