Princess Anne is set to undertake a significant overseas tour
next month, with the Princess Royal due to visit both South Korea
and Thailand as part of a programme aimed at strengthening
diplomatic, cultural and charitable ties across Asia.
The King’s sister will travel with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir
Tim Laurence, for a series of engagements in Seoul and Bangkok
between 13 and 17 July.
The visit underlines Anne’s continuing role as one of the
monarchy’s most active international representatives, despite
celebrating her 75th birthday last year.
The British Embassy in Seoul confirmed that the Princess Royal
will visit South Korea from 13 to 15 July, where she will attend
commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imjin
River, one of the most significant engagements involving British
troops during the Korean War.
The royal visit will pay tribute to the British servicemen who
fought alongside South Korean and United Nations forces during the
conflict between 1950 and 1953.
Anne is also expected to participate in a number of events
designed to strengthen cooperation between the United Kingdom and
South Korea in sectors including advanced technology, maritime
manufacturing, research and education.
British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks said the visit
would reflect the “strength and warmth” of relations between the
two nations.
“There are fond and longstanding ties between the Royal Family
and the Republic of Korea, from Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II’s visit in 1999 to the three State Visits by Korean Presidents
to the United Kingdom since,” he said.
The Princess Royal last visited South Korea in 2018 when she
attended the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Following her engagements in Seoul, Anne will travel directly to
Thailand for a two-day programme of official events.
According to the British Embassy in Bangkok, the Princess Royal
will visit a school supported by Save the Children Thailand, a
charity with which she has been associated for more than five
decades.
She is also scheduled to meet Thailand’s Prime Minister, hold
audiences with King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, and pay
her respects to the late Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.
The visit will additionally include meetings with female
scientists, attendance at a regional health security showcase and
engagements celebrating cultural cooperation between the United
Kingdom and Thailand.
British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Gooding described the trip
as a reflection of the enduring friendship between the two
countries.
“The Princess Royal’s fourth visit to Thailand reflects the
enduring warmth between our two countries and the important role
our royal families continue to play in strengthening the
UK-Thailand partnership,” he said.
This will be Anne’s fourth visit to Thailand, having previously
travelled there in 1972, 1979 and 1987. Her first visit came when
she accompanied her parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip,
during their historic tour of the country.
Widely regarded as one of the hardest-working members of the
Royal Family, Anne continues to undertake hundreds of engagements
each year and serves as patron or president of more than 300
organisations.