A 21-gun salute is among the honours expected as Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, make a special visit to B.C. from May 3 to 5.
Appointed honourary commodore-in-chief of the Canadian Fleet Pacific in 2015, the visit by Her Royal Highness is hosted by the Royal Canadian Navy.
Princess Anne, sister to King Charles, is expected to participate in various community events with local organizations.
She will attend the commissioning ceremony for His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Max Bernays and sail overnight in the ship to Esquimalt. When HMCS Max Bernays enters Esquimalt Harbour, the Princess Royal will receive a 21-gun salute from the Black Rock naval battery.
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She’ll also visit the Military Family Resource Centre to meet with staff, board members and service members and their families, as well as pay respects and lay a wreath at the God’s Acre Veteran’s Cemetery in Esquimalt.
The Princess Royal will visit the FED Urban Agriculture project to learn about local sustainable food practices, attend the Battle of the Atlantic Commemorative Service at the B.C. Legislature and lay a wreath, present prizes at the Spring Dinghies Regatta at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Oak Bay, and meet with Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin as well as various provincial community leaders.
Known dates include a May 4, visit to the Maritime Museum of BC Collection and Archives in Victoria where her father, the late Prince Phillip had a hand in securing items from Greenwich Museum for the original local naval museum.
The next day, Princess Anne is expected to visit the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association facility in Central Saanich where the association will share highlights of their programs, and riders will demonstrate how the VTRA has supported them.
