HRH visit to Victoria

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne salutes the Battle of the Atlantic parade at the Victoria Cenotaph. Photo: Cpl Tristan Walach, MARPAC Imaging Services.

A/SLt Christopher Hofing,
MARPAC Public Affairs 

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King Charles’ sister Princess Anne visited Vancouver Island as part of her 23rd working visit to Canada.

Princess Anne has had a long-vested interest in Canada, and the Canadian Armed Forces. She is the Commodore-in-Chief of the Canadian Fleet Pacific, Colonel-in-Chief of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s), Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Royal Regina Rifles. She also supports the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, Camp Hill Veterans’ Services and is an honorary fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

On May 3, The Princess Royal attended the commissioning ceremony of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Max Bernays in Vancouver in her role as Commodore-in-Chief, Canadian Fleet Pacific.

On May 4 at 10:30 a.m. those in attendance at Fort Rodd Hill witnessed a clear view of HMCS Max Bernays entering Esquimalt Harbour. The Princess Royal received a 21 Gun Salute from the Black Rock naval battery.

Shortly after her arrival in Esquimalt, Her Royal Highness proceeded to the Wardroom to meet members of Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) with her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. The MFRC is an independent organization that supports the families of serving members. During her visit, she and Sir Timothy met with staff, board members and service members and their families.

“We had about a hundred people there and she spoke to everyone,” said Jackie Carle, MFRC Executive Director. “She was absolutely amazing and everybody who was there had a royal moment.”

After visiting with the military families, The Princess Royal spent over an hour touring the grounds of the God’s Acre Veterans Cemetery where she paid her respects and laid a wreath in memory of over 2,500 fallen military personnel and family members.

The Princess Royal also visited the archives and collections space of the Maritime Museum of British Columbia. According to Heather Feeney of the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, Prince Phillip visited Victoria in 1951 and upon discovering that there were no naval museums, arranged to have artifacts from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich sent to Vancouver Island. This prompted the launch of the Maritime Museum of British Columbia.

During the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Charles Prince of Wales as Commodore-in-Chief of the Canadian Fleet Atlantic and Anne, The Princess Royal, with Commodore-in-Chief of the Canadian Fleet Pacific. On May 5, nine years later, The Princess Royal attended the Battle of the Atlantic Commemorative Service at the British Columbia Legislature. Those in attendance witnessed this historic moment for Victoria as she laid her wreath and paid her respects to the fallen sailors.

Her Royal Highness tours the grounds of God’s Acre Military Cemetery in Esquimalt with Commodore David Mazur (right), Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, and a member of Veteran Affairs Canada. Photo: Corporal Jay Naples.