Anne marks 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden on behalf of King
The Princess Royal has relayed a message on behalf of the King in which he said the "heroism and sacrifice made by so many in the pursuit of peace" would never be forgotten.
Princess Anne was representing the King at an event to remember those who fought in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem, which took place 80 years ago this month.
"Eighty years ago, on this very weekend, Operation Market Garden was underway in this region of the Netherlands," she said on behalf of the King.
Operation Market Garden aimed to push through the Netherlands and into Germany just three months after the Normandy landings.
"An ambitious joint airborne and ground forces operation designed to seize crucial bridges to enable the advance into Germany, its ultimate aim was to end the war within a matter of months," the Princess Royal said, quoting the King.
"The friendships made during those difficult days of September 1944 between the Dutch and their liberators continued after the war.
"I saw this for myself five years ago when, as Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment, I attended the 75th anniversary commemorations."
Joined by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Anne delivered her brother’s speech at a reception staged at the Airborne Museum Hartenstein in Oosterbeek.
The former hotel served as the headquarters of the British 1st Airborne Division during the Battle of Arnhem.
The Princess Royal also met Geoff Roberts, 99, believed to be the only British soldier to travel to Arnhem for the commemorations this year.
Mr Roberts flew by glider into Arnhem during Operation Market Garden, but was captured as the Allies retreated after their efforts, immortalised in the film A Bridge Too Far, were thwarted by strong resistance by the Germans, and he spent the rest of the war in a prisoner of war camp.
Continuing the King's Speech, Anne said: "Tragically, despite the endless courage of all those who served in an operation whose renown echoes through the generations, the Netherlands had one more terrible winter to suffer before liberation finally arrived.
"Today, on this 80th anniversary, it is with a deep sense of gratitude and humility that we remember all those in the British, Allied and Commonwealth forces who served and died fighting for our freedom.
"Let us also remember those magnificently courageous members of the Dutch resistance and gallant civilians who endured so much during the Second World War.
"We will never forget the heroism and sacrifice made by so many in the pursuit of peace and liberation. My wife joins me in sending warmest possible good wishes to all those taking part in this weekend of commemoration."
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