Princess Anne has been seen in public for the first time at a royal engagement since Kate Middleton bravely revealed that she is suffering from cancer that was found following abdominal surgery
Princess Anne has broken cover on her first royal engagement following Kate’s cancer news.
The Princess Royal has paid her respects to those who lost their lives in the Lockerbie bombing which happened 35 years ago. On December 21 1988, a bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit as it flew above the Dumfries and Galloway town, killing all 259 passengers and crew onboard.
A further 11 people died on the ground as parts of the wreckage landed on homes in the town. She visited Dryfesdale cemetery and the visitor centre on the town’s outskirts to remember those who lost their lives to the bombing.
She met officials from Dumfries and Galloway Council, as well as others involved in keeping the memory of those who lost their lives alive. She was joined by Fiona Armstrong, Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries.
Ms Armstrong, also a newsreader and reporter, covered the bombing while working as a journalist. The princess was shown around the visitor centre and spoke those in attendance. She signed the visitor guestbook and unveiled a small plaque created in honour of her visit to the site.
Shortly afterwards, she walked through the graveyard to the official memorial for those who were killed as a result of the bombing, where she laid a special wreath signed by her in commemoration of the dead.
Ahead of laying the wreath, Ms Armstrong said: “I was there on that night and I saw first-hand how this town rallied, how it copes and has continued to cope over the decades. You could never be more proud of a community. A disaster like this can never be forgotten.
“So much grief, such senseless losses, 270 innocent lives, remembered here on this memorial, each and every name will never be forgotten. Lockerbie’s moto is forward, and we move together in hope. Your Royal Highness, your brother, now the King, came here following the disaster.
“Your mother, the late Queen; your father, the Duke of Edinburgh; also came here some years after to pay their respects. And how we are honoured to have you here today, as the Princess Royal, but we also ask you to lay a wreath, please, of remembrance.”
With social media rife with wild conspiracy theories about her health, the Princess of Wales revealed last Friday that she had cancer and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy. It was followed by a message from the Waleses where they thanked the public for their messages of support.
And Buckingham Palace was quick to issue a statement on behalf of the King, who is also having treatment for cancer, to say how proud he was of the “courage” that Kate showed in speaking about her treatment.
Charles is now planning to lead the Royal Family on Easter Sunday at their annual church service in a public show of unity. Royal sources said that he is “hoping to make” the journey to St George’s Chapel in Windsor this weekend to reassure the public amid incredibly testing times for the family.
The Sunday Mirror also exclusively revealed that Charles, 75, has recorded a special Easter message of hope, to be broadcast on Maundy Thursday at Worcester Cathedral. Queen Camilla will lead The Firm at the annual Royal Maundy Service, to distribute the Royal Maundy gifts on behalf of her husband.
