In a poignant ceremony under overcast skies, the Princess Royal has honoured the fallen during a two-day visit to Singapore that commemorates six decades of diplomatic relations between the island nation and the United Kingdom.
A Solemn Act of Remembrance
Princess Anne joined British and Singaporean veterans for a minute's silence at the historic Kranji War Cemetery. The sombre occasion saw her lay a traditional poppy wreath at the memorial, pausing respectfully after placing the tribute.
The cemetery serves as the final resting place for nearly 4,500 Commonwealth casualties of the Second World War who perished while defending Singapore and Malaya from Japanese forces. Among those remembered was Midshipman James Bremridge, an 18-year-old relative of Anne's husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, who died when HMS Repulse was sunk in the South China Sea in December 1941.
Sir Timothy personally laid a wreath on the young sailor's grave, creating a deeply personal moment during the formal proceedings.
Royal Duties and Tributes
During her time at the cemetery, the Princess Royal, who serves as head of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, met with staff including vice chair Peter Hudson. The service featured Commander Tim Curnock of the British Royal Navy reading an extract from For the Fallen, with assembled veterans responding in unison with the powerful affirmation, "we will remember them."
Other dignitaries, including the presidents of the Singapore Armed Veterans' League and veterans' charity Sandbag, also laid wreaths. A piper played at the crest of the cemetery, overlooking the orderly rows of headstones, offering a salute after speaking with the Princess.
Celebrating Six Decades of Partnership
The remembrance service formed part of a wider visit strengthening the 60-year diplomatic relationship between the UK and Singapore. In a lighter moment, Princess Anne visited the National Orchid Garden, where a new hybrid orchid was named in her honour.
The purple bloom, now officially called Dendrobium Anne, was described by the Princess as "very special." During her tour of the VIP garden, where orchids named after various heads of state are kept, she paused to admire one named after her late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
With this naming, six members of the royal family have now been honoured with their own orchids in the garden, including the Prince and Princess of Wales who received the tribute in 2012.
The Princess Royal concluded her engagements by visiting HMS Spey, a Royal Navy vessel that has been deployed to the Indo-Pacific region since 2021, underscoring the ongoing strategic partnership between the two nations.
