Princess Anne reflects on 'remarkable milestone' ahead of King Charles' 77th birthday
Princess Anne has opened up about her brother
King Charles’ birthday is just around the corner and Princess Anne has lifted the lid on the monarch’s usual celebrations.
The Princess Royal reflected on 60 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Singapore at a party to celebrate King Charles’ birthday on November 12.
There, she shared some thoughts about her older brother and his 77th birthday.
Princess Anne talks King Charles’ birthday
On Wednesday, Princess Anne visited Eden Hall, the British High Commissioner to Singapore’s residence, for the occasion.
King Charles’ actual birthday is tomorrow, Friday 14, but the monarch officially celebrated his birthday in June to avoid the bad weather, with the Trooping the Colour parade and the traditional RAF flypast.
Anne joked about the king celebrating two birthdays in her speech to hundreds of guests at the party, sparking laughter from those in attendance.
She said: “The timeliness of the celebration of His Majesty the King’s birthday is strangely quite close to his actual birthday for a change. It’s the end of this week. So, not bad.”
Anne addresses milestone ahead of King Charles’ birthday
The princess went on to reference King Charles’ birthday, stating: “These birthday celebrations are always here at the historic setting of Eden Hall. This building in itself symbolises the United Kingdom’s enduring diplomatic presence here in Singapore.
“It is a remarkable milestone. Sixty years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. It seems quite short. It gives us that historical perspective to reflect on the state of that relationship.”
Anne recalled: “It started when my late mother Queen Elizabeth II was still in the early years of her remarkable reign, but I know the first time I came here was with her on a state visit in 1972.”
She also noted the “warmth of that welcome” she received.
The Princess Royal gives speech during heavy rain
The princess was thankfully sheltered beneath a canopy during her speech, as it began to pour it down as she spoke.
She continued: “This is a place where there is a vibrant British community of over 50,000 who really do call Singapore home. I would like to thank them for being extraordinarily good ambassadors for our country.
“While they have embraced all that this city-state has to offer, I hope you all agree that looking back in that context gives us confidence that we can look forward to an even more remarkable future as we face those challenges together and seek a lot of the new opportunities that are offering.
“Geography has a lot to do with what makes Singapore a strong, vibrant community. It is very much an island in the right place.
“You share with Great Britain the fact that we are an island that has traded its way in its history. That level of common understanding and common history is a very good place to start a long-term modern relationship.”
Princess Anne’s trip to Singapore
Princess Anne is on a two-day trip to Singapore, at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to mark the significant milestone.
Singapore gained independence from Malaysia in August 1965. Shortly after this, the UK established diplomatic relations.
British High Commissioner to the Republic of Singapore Nikesh Mehta said: “This year marks a particular significance as we celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Singapore.”
Plans for King Charles’ birthday are yet to be revealed. However, the royals usually celebrate privately.
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So, what do you think of Anne’s words? Are you keeping up with King Charles’ birthday celebrations? Let us know on our Facebook page @RoyalInsider.
