British royal Princess Anne here next week
MANILA, Philippines–Princess Anne, the only daughter of England’s Queen Elizabeth II, will visit the country next week to boost relations and to support nonprofit organizations, the British Embassy announced on Thursday.
Anne, also known as The Princess Royal, will be in the country for three days, from March 17 to 19.
She will meet President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay separately during her visit.
The Princess’s visit is part of a series of high-level visits from the UK to the Philippines to strengthen relations between the two countries, the British Embassy said.
This will be Anne’s second visit to the country after March 1999, the embassy said.
“Her Royal Highness’s program of engagements is essentially in support of her many charities, and she also travels abroad extensively undertaking Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Olympic and charitable engagements,” the embassy said.
The Princess Royal is the head, or Patron, of some 320 organizations, the embassy noted.
Anne, who has been president since 1970 of the international charity Save the Children, will visit the projects and meet beneficiaries supported by organization, including an elementary school in Leyte.
She has traveled extensively with Save the Children to many parts of the world, giving her great insights into the needs of children worldwide, the embassy noted.
Anne will also visit the Tulay sa Pag-Unlad microfinance trust, which is being supported by Opportunity International UK, of which she is Patron.
The Princess will participate in roundtable discussions with future entrepreneurs and attend a sporting reception.
An expert horsewoman, Anne succeeded her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, as president of the International Equestrian Federation, a post which she has since relinquished.
After five years as president of the British Olympic Association, she was elected to the International Olympic Committee in 1988.
She has been President of the Riding for the Disabled Association since 1969 and the Royal Yachting Association since 1987.
She also serves as president of the Register of Engineers for Disaster Relief, a group providing training for humanitarian and nongovernment workers.
Anne, 64, is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
She received the title, Princess Royal, from her mother the Queen in June 1987. The title is customarily awarded by the British monarch to his or her eldest daughter.
The visit of the princess and the events she will attend will not be open for media coverage, the British Embassy said.
