The Princess Royal is in France for D-Day commemorations and had a busy Wednesday with several engagements. 

A group of 31 veterans who took part in D-Day operations returned to Normandy to take part in 80th anniversary commemorative events. Princess Anne met with several of the veterans at a Royal British Legion service at Bayeux War Cemetery. She spent time speaking with veterans like Don Jones, 99; the Royal Navy veteran helped ferry both soldiers and equipment to the beach on D-Day. 

The Princess Royal was uncharacteristically open, telling Jones that she continues to carry out her own duties “because I meet people like you.”

She also joined the Royal Regina Rifles as their Commander-in-Chief for an unveiling ceremony. Her Royal Highness helped to unveil a new statue to honour the Canadian regiment’s contributions to D-Day and its members that sacrificed their lives. 

In a speech, Princess Anne shared: “The statue unveiled today will forever tell the story of loyalty, of bravery, and of duty.

“I also hope it will remind future generations to never forget the sacrifice and determination of the Regina Rifles.“

Joined by her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence throughout the day, the couple also attended the Commonwealth War Grave Commission’s Great Vigil in the evening. 

The King, The Queen, and The Prince of Wales were in Portsmouth on Wednesday to take part in the national D-Day commemorations.