who else would carry no-nonsense Princess Anne’s heavy baggage?

She’s famously probably the most no-nonsense member of the Royal Family.

So, true to kind, Princess Anne insisted on travelling by scheduled airline to SRI Lanka for a whirlwind three-day official go to this week – and even carried her personal baggage.

The King’s 73-year-old sister is on the island on behalf of the British Government to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between the 2 nations, packing in a raft of public engagements.

Sri Lankan Airlines posted footage on social media of her boarding their plane in London, devoid of make-up and lugging two heavy holdalls, accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

And regardless of a crimson carpet and vibrant official welcome on the different finish in Colombo, she shrugged off any provide of assist and fortunately carried three baggage down the aircraft’s stairs.

She had, nonetheless, swapped her camel-coloured informal wool wrap for a wise blazer and her trademark sporty sun shades – and appeared delighted by the singers and dancers, carrying baskets stuffed with flowers, that greeted her.

Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, was among the many dignitaries who formally welcomed the princess and mentioned afterwards: ‘This go to is the absolute best method to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.’

‘That’s the aim, to show her as much of the country, as much of the diversity as we can, and we think it’s the first visit by a member of the royal family to Jaffna, certainly in many, many years, so that will be historic.’

Upon her arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, the Princess Royal signed the Golden Book for VIP visitors.

Over the next few days she will undertake engagements in Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna to meet local communities and faith groups and celebrate relations between the two countries.

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, was a British colony that gained its independence in 1948.

On the first day of her visit Anne, who shows no sign of slowing down despite turning 74 this year, was welcomed by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs earlier than instantly heading off to the MAS Active manufacturing unit, one of many largest garments and textile corporations in South East Asia, and an necessary associate to many UK corporations.

The princess, who’s president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, met employees and toured the amenities.

She then visited the Sri Lankan head workplace of Save The Children – a charity of which she can be patron and with which she has had an extended affiliation –  which is marking its fiftieth anniversary of working within the nation.

As a part of the charity’s celebrations, Her Royal Highness took half within the custom of lighting a ceremonial oil lamp which symbolises hope and prosperity – the exact same lamp she had lit on her earlier go to practically 30 years in the past.

The Princess was additionally introduced with a present field containing paintings from among the many hundreds of younger those that Save the Children has supported by way of programmes addressing the impacts of poverty, violence, pure disasters and the local weather disaster.

There was barely time to attract breath earlier than she headed to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children the place Save The Children has been pioneering a social emotional studying programme, generally known as Tilli, that comes with video games and story-telling to help dad and mom and academics on points round belief, consent, our bodies and limits.

The progressive programme helps younger individuals from throughout the nation, a lot of whom are affected by power diseases, categorical their emotions and construct resilience by way of video games and play.

Princess Anne additionally spoke with a staff of paediatric consultants and baby safety consultants in regards to the charity’s assist for youngsters on the hospital, which started in response to the double blow of the Covid-19 pandemic and a crippling financial disaster that has tipped many Sri Lankan households into destitution.

Her Royal Highness grew to become President of Save the Children UK in 1970, earlier than transitioning to the function of Patron in 2017. She final visited the charity’s work in Sri Lanka in 1995.

Indeed on this leg of the royal tour, Her Royal Highness was photographed by the son of the photographer who captured her earlier go to.

Julian Chellappah, Country Director of Save the Children Sri Lanka, mentioned: ‘As Save the Children marks its 50th anniversary of operating in Sri Lanka, we couldn’t be extra thrilled thatHer Royal Highness The Princess Royal has chosen to return right here to witness first-hand our life-changing work – and see one thing of the influence we’ve had over the previous 50 years.

Her presence is important to elevating consciousness of the challenges confronted by susceptible kids and their households right here.’

Her day will conclude by assembly with the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The princess’s go to is the Royal Family’s first abroad a tour of 2024 and cements her popularity as of the toughest working royals.