HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal visits Singapore marking 60 years of enduring UK–Singapore friendship
In an inspirational display of energy, dedication, and unwavering duty, HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, embarked on a meaningful two-day working visit to Singapore (12–13 November 2025), marking 60 years of enduring UK–Singapore friendship. With her trademark vigour and commitment, she brought together ceremony, compassion, and purposeful diplomacy, weaving past, present, and future into a visit that reflected the very best of her service to the Crown.
PM Lawrence Wong met Britain’s Princess Anne on Nov 13, and the two marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the UK.
Her programme was both thoughtful and forward-looking. In her meeting with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, she spoke with characteristic clarity and depth about sustainability, biodiversity, and the importance of skills development — subjects she champions with a passion honed over decades of public service. Their exchanges, she said, were “very constructive and forward-thinking,” underscoring her ability to elevate conversations beyond protocol and into lasting impact. The following day, during her engagement with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, both leaders strengthened ties across trade, defence, and emerging fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and scientific research. PM Wong later commented, “The Princess Royal’s visit reflects the deep and enduring friendship between our peoples… I look forward to expanding our cooperation and keeping our partnership vibrant in the years ahead.”
A beautifully personal moment unfolded at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where a new orchid hybrid — Dendrobium Anne — was named in her honour. Princess Anne received the gesture with heartfelt humility, saying, “Thank you for that. That’s very special, thank you very much.” It was a symbolic reminder of how deeply respected she is across the world — not just as a representative of her nation, but as a woman whose authenticity, warmth, and devotion shine through in every engagement.
Her visit also carried solemn significance. At the Kranji War Cemetery, Princess Anne laid a wreath in remembrance of Commonwealth service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. As President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, she approached the moment with profound dignity. She spent meaningful time meeting both UK and Singapore veterans, speaking with them about their service, their memories, and their unbroken bond of camaraderie. Her compassion, attentiveness, and respect illustrated why she remains one of the most admired figures to represent the King abroad — a royal who listens, learns, and honours others with remarkable sincerity.
Yet even amid solemn reflection and high-level diplomacy, Princess Anne brought her signature spirit of curiosity. At the Airbus/Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus, she stepped confidently into a full flight simulator, taking the virtual controls of an A350. With a smile, she noted she remembered her last time in a simulator — a moment that captured her humour, openness, and eagerness to engage with innovation firsthand. It was a vibrant demonstration of her belief that leadership is active, informed, and always forward-facing.
An important presence throughout the visit was Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, who laid a wreath on the grave of a relative at Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore. Sir Timothys steady professionalism and quiet insight complemented the Princess Royal’s engagements. His experienced perspective on maritime cooperation, sustainability, and international collaboration added richness to discussions with Singaporean leaders. Together, the couple projected a sense of partnership defined by integrity, knowledge, and shared commitment to public service.
HRH Princess Anne visited HMS Spey which has been deployed to the Indo-Pacific since 2021 and is the fifth of the second-generation river class offshore patrol vessels built for the Royal Navy. The princess was welcomed aboard the ship, which has recently been undergoing maintenance work, with a red carpet and greeted by Royal Navy officers.
HRH Princess Anne presented awards to Warrant Officers James Burton and Jason Proctor, and watched a demonstration of a Skyports drone delivering a care package to the ship.Addressing the crew, she said: “Thank you very much for your hospitality today, I hope it isn’t interrupting too much in what is a pretty busy period for you getting back on board and a system which seems to work well for this ship and for this ship’s company.
“I hope you all find that this is a really interesting role to have. In a way you never quite know what’s coming from day to day.
“You have to make the ship work and you do so thank you very much for that.”
She added: “It’s very nice to be able to have a chance to catch up with a ship that is fundamentally all over the place. Maybe that’s what attracts you and gives you satisfaction.
“Many congratulations to you on this ship, its turnout and what you achieve with her.”
The working visit concluded at the British High Commissioner’s Residence, where Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Laurence joined British High Commissioner Nikesh Mehta for King Charles III’s birthday celebrations. The centrepiece featured a specially designed three-tiered cake representing the Union Jack through blue, white and red layers, topped with an edible replica of St Edward’s Crown from the King’s Coronation.
Across the globe, Princess Anne is consistently recognised for the remarkable passion, stamina, and devotion she brings to every role she undertakes. Whether meeting world leaders, uplifting veterans, championing sustainability, or representing the King with steadfast loyalty, she carries out her duties with a unique blend of strength, humility, and heart. Her visit to Singapore was not simply a diplomatic engagement — it was a masterclass in service: honouring history, strengthening partnerships, and inspiring optimism for a shared future rooted in cooperation, innovation, and respect.
Through every encounter — from quiet moments of remembrance to dynamic engagement with technology — HRH The Princess Royal once again showed why she remains one of the most admired ambassadors of the United Kingdom, embodying the very essence of dedication, purpose, and grace.
