Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
She was surrounded by traditional dancers when she touched down in the country to kick off the Royal Family’s first overseas tour of 2024.
The Princess Royal had a bag in each hand as well as a shoulder bag when she walked down the plane’s steps with husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence at the start of a three-day visit to celebrate the UK’s ties with the Commonwealth nation.
Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, gained its independence in 1948 after more than a century of British rule.
Anne is in the country at the request of the Foreign Office.
Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, who was among the welcoming committee, said: “This visit is the best possible way to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.”
The Princess will meet the country’s President Ranil Wickreme-singhe and his wife and First Lady Maithree as part of her whistle-
stop tour.
She will also be meeting people in the capital, Colombo, and the cities of Kandy and Jaffna – home to many of the country’s Tamil community.
Mr Patrick said: “That’s the aim –to show her as much of the country, as much of the diversity as we can.
“And we think it’s the first visit by a member of the Royal Family to Jaffna, certainly in many, many years, so that will be historic.”
Anne, 73, has been dubbed King Charles’ “right-hand woman” and is one of the hardest-working royals in his slimmed-down monarchy.
Her first stop was a factory in Colombo, where clothing firm MAS makes sportswear, including tops for tennis ace Novak Djokovic.
The firm has also been making underwear for Marks & Spencer for 30 years and Anne – president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association –held a bra cup as she was shown some of the garments.
The Princess, who last visited Sri Lanka in 1995, later unveiled a plaque to mark the 50th anniversary of Save the Children in the country, which helps feed 95,000 school pupils every day. Anne, patron of the charity, said: “It’s a real pleasure to return to Sri Lanka…and underline the fact you have been doing extraordinary work here for 50 years.”