Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has touched down on Australian soil, commencing a fast-paced four-day tour that will see her visit three major cities in what marks her first official visit to the country since 2019.
Princess Anne arrived in Melbourne on Monday morning, greeted by Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner at Government House where she'll undertake several official duties. The 73-year-old royal, known for her no-nonsense approach and relentless work ethic, has a packed schedule ahead that showcases Australia's innovation and community spirit.
Melbourne's Royal Agenda
The Princess Royal's Melbourne itinerary includes visiting the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, a fitting engagement given her lifelong passion for equestrian sports and rural affairs. She'll also tour the Melbourne Water's Western Treatment Plant, highlighting her commitment to environmental sustainability and water management initiatives.
Sydney's Special Stop
Following her Melbourne engagements, Anne will jet to Sydney where she'll attend a special reception aboard the historic HMAS Vampire at the Australian National Maritime Museum. This visit holds particular significance as it commemorates the 80th anniversary of the RAN's Beach Commandos, paying tribute to Australia's naval history and veterans.
Brisbane Finale
The whirlwind tour concludes in Brisbane on Thursday, where the princess will engage with various community organizations and educational institutions. Her Queensland visit underscores the royal family's ongoing relationship with Australian states beyond the traditional Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne circuit.
This marks Princess Anne's first Australian tour since she visited in 2019 to open the Invictus Games. Her current visit continues the royal family's renewed engagement with Commonwealth nations following King Charles III's accession to the throne.
Observers note that Anne's no-fuss approach and genuine interest in the organizations she visits make her particularly popular with Australians who appreciate her down-to-earth royal style. With over 300 royal engagements conducted last year alone, the Princess Royal maintains her reputation as the hardest-working member of the royal family.
