Princess Anne resumes duties just days after Queen's death, thanks sailors for their role in the funeral
LONDON, ENGLAND: Princess Anne undertook her first royal engagement since bidding the Queen a final goodbye at her state funeral on Monday, September 19.
The 72-year-old Princess Royal, Her late Majesty's only daughter, was seen at Portsmouth Naval Base, where she met with Royal Navy personnel and thanked them for taking part in Queen Elizabeth II's funeral procession. Anne, who is also Commodore-in-Chief of HMNB Portsmouth, greeted those who were part of the emotional ceremony that saw Britain's longest-serving monarch laid to her final resting place in Windsor.
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Princess Anne was all smiles when she shook hands with the personnel who were involved with her mother's funeral. She wore a black blazer over a white blouse, accessorized with a navy neck scarf for the occasion.
The Princess Royal was also scheduled to visit St Omer Barracks in Aldershot to meet the personnel who played an instrumental role in logistics for the funeral.
It's worth noting that a number of senior royals have resumed engagements. Kate and William, Prince and Princess of Wales, met with volunteers and operational staff to extend gratitude for their work on the Queen's committal service at Windsor Castle.
Meanwhile, the Earl of Wessex is visiting Estonia and Germany in his role as Royal Colonel of the 2nd Battalion of The Rifles and Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry. Royal duties recommenced on Wednesday, September 21, after William made his first speech since his grandmother's death -- an address to the Earthshot Prize summit in New York.
The 40-year-old Prince of Wales was due to travel to New York to give a speech at the event but canceled his trip following the Queen's death earlier this month. However, he returned to work on Wednesday as he pre-recorded a video message that was played at the environmental action conference.
“It is the saddest of circumstances that means I cannot join you.” Prince William makes first speech since the Queen’s death - a video message for @EarthshotPrize Innovation Summit in New York which he was due to attend in person. © The Earthshot Prize/Bloomberg Philanthropies pic.twitter.com/NYTbmlX1oS
— Sarah Hewson (@sarahhewsonTV) September 21, 2022
"Although it is the saddest circumstances that I am unable to join you today, I am able to join you in video form as you gather in New York for the Earthshot Prize innovation summit," William said in the address. Nonetheless, he confirmed that he and Kate would travel to Boston in December for the second Earthshot Prize award ceremony.
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This comes as the royal family begins another week of mourning after a state funeral brimming with emotion, tradition, and symbolism that moved the world to tears. King Charles personally laid his mother to rest during a private burial earlier this week.
The late sovereign's final journey began on the day of her death on September 8 and ended on Monday as she was laid to rest next to Prince Philip, with the new King scattering earth on his mother's coffin at 7.30 pm local time. Queen Elizabeth II, who served her people for a flawless 70 years, now lies at peace in the royal vault under St George's Chapel with her husband, father, mother, and sister for eternity.