Princess Anne will join forces with a seldom-seen member of the Royal Family for a quick overseas journey next week. The Princess Royal is scheduled to visit France with the Duke of Gloucester to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
As the President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Anne will attend alongside the Duke of Gloucester, who serves as the Honorary President of the Somme Association. The event on Wednesday, July 1, will pay tribute to the individuals who fought and perished in one of the most lethal battles of World War I.
Despite their infrequent joint appearances, Anne and the Duke will come together for this significant occasion. The Duke, also known as Prince Richard, was the cousin of the late Queen, sharing King George V as their grandfather. He was born fifth in line to the throne on August 26, 1944, in Northampton, as the youngest son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.
The Duke has fulfilled royal duties with visits to countries like Malawi and the Solomon Islands. Recently, he made a rare appearance alongside the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour festivities.
During their joint visit to the Thiepval Memorial in northeast France, the senior royals will unveil UNESCO plaques as part of the anniversary observances. The memorial commemorates British and South African troops who perished between 1915 and March 1918, with unknown resting places.
Furthermore, the royals will take part in a ceremony at Ulster Tower, honoring the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division who died during the Somme offensive, and Ulstermen who fought with other military units. Following the joint service, Anne will head to the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, while the Duke of Gloucester will participate in ceremonies at Guillemont Road Cemetery.
This visit follows a decade after King Charles, then Prince of Wales, joined other Royal Family members at the centenary commemorations of the battle in France in 2016.