Princess Anne isn’t one to stay on the sidelines. On March 31, 2026, the Princess Royal visited The King’s Royal Hussars (KRH) at the Salisbury Plain Training Area while the regiment was conducting Exercise Iron Cyclone, a four‑week training programme preparing them for a NATO deployment to Estonia.
During her two-hour visit, she toured specialist stands displaying equipment used by the regiment and received updates on their activities since her last visit in 2024.
© @theroyalfamilyThe Princess Royal’s visit highlights her decades-long connection to The King’s Royal Hussars, dating back to 1969.
She was briefed on the regiment’s Cyber Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA) capability, which is being trialled across the wider Field Army, and observed demonstrations showing how tanks, infantry, drones, and electronic systems are coordinated in modern training exercises.
Princess Anne’s association with the KRH spans more than fifty years. She was first appointed Colonel‑in‑Chief of the 14th/20th King’s Hussars in 1969 and retained her role when the regiment became The King’s Royal Hussars.
© @theroyalfamilyThe Princess Royal tours specialist equipment stands, learning about the KRH’s cyber and electronic capabilities.
Her engagement remains deeply valued by the regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Dave Welford MBE, Commanding Officer of the KRH, described her visit as an “absolute privilege,” noting that her continued interest in the regiment is greatly appreciated by all soldiers.
In addition to her KRH role, Princess Anne holds numerous honorary military appointments across the UK and Commonwealth, including positions with the Blues and Royals and other Household Division units.
© @theroyalfamilyPrincess Anne speaks with soldiers on the coordination of tanks, infantry, and drones in modern military operations.
In 2023, she was appointed Senior Colonel of the Household Division by King Charles, a ceremonial role previously held by her father, Prince Philip, which strengthens the link between the monarch and the Household regiments.
During a visit to South Africa in 2025, she told the Press Association, “I don’t think there’s a retirement programme on this particular life,” reflecting her enduring dedication to royal and military duties.
© @theroyalfamilyDressed in full combat uniform and sunglasses, Princess Anne gets hands-on with troops during NATO preparation exercises.
True to her “hands-on” approach, Princess Anne regularly wears full military uniform when visiting army units, blending ceremonial responsibility with personal engagement and reinforcing her reputation as one of the hardest-working royals.
She is widely admired for her down-to-earth, no-nonsense style, often handling engagements independently, avoiding media spectacle, and maintaining a practical approach that resonates with both soldiers and the public.
© PATRICK HAMILTONPrincess Anne meets soldiers from the Australian Defence Force during a Remembrance Day service at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbaned on November 11, 2025.
The visit also highlights the operational importance of the KRH as they prepare for their deployment to Estonia as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence.
Exercise Iron Cyclone helps the regiment adapt to cold, wooded terrains and integrate modern capabilities, ensuring the unit is ready to deter aggression on NATO’s eastern flank.
By witnessing the training firsthand, Princess Anne underscored her commitment not only to ceremonial duties but to understanding and supporting the realities of modern military operations.
© Justin Goff PhotosPrincess Anne underscored her commitment not only to ceremonial duties but to understanding and supporting the realities of modern military operations.