Princess Anne to represent King at events to mark 80th anniversary of Arnhem
Princess Anne will travel to Oosterbeek in the Netherlands to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden – one of the Second World War's most famous battles.
The Princess Royal will be representing the King at events during the two-day visit accompanied by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
In 1944, the Allies came up with an ambitious plan – codenamed Market Garden – to cross the River Rhine, advance deep into northern Germany and shorten the war.
It involved the seizure of key bridges in the Netherlands by the 101st and 82nd US Airborne Divisions and the 1st British Airborne Division, supported by Polish airborne forces, which would land by parachute and glider.
If successful, the plan would free the Netherlands, look to outflank Germany's frontier defences, the Siegfried Line, and make possible an armoured drive into Germany's industrial heartland.
It unfortunately failed to achieve its objectives, with 30 Corps unable to reach the furthest bridge at Arnhem before German forces overwhelmed the British defenders, but the bravery shown by the airborne troops is honoured annually.
The failure of Market Garden ended Allied expectations of finishing the war by Christmas 1944 – it would not end until 2 September 1945.
Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Laurence will attend commemorations at the Airborne Museum Hartenstein accompanied by Colonel Commandant of The Parachute Regiment, Major General Oliver Kingsbury.
In September 1944, it was where Major-General Roy Urquhart, the commander of 1st Airborne Division, set up his headquarters.
At the Airborne Museum, Princess Anne is set to tour the building, viewing displays on remembrance, occupation and commemoration.
She will later present four honorary MBEs then, following the presentation, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Laurence will watch the Red Devils carry out a parachute display before meeting veterans, local dignitaries, military representatives, and volunteers.
After the display, Princess Anne will make a speech to mark the anniversary of Operation Market Garden, acknowledging the bravery and sacrifice of British, Dutch and Allied Troops.
On Sunday 22 September, Princess Royal, as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), will attend the annual service to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden.
At the start of the service, the party will process into the cemetery towards the Cross of Sacrifice where there will be approximately 1,000 guests gathered ahead of the service.
Princess Anne will then read a lesson and, at the conclusion, lay a wreath at the foot of the Cross of Sacrifice.
There will be a flypast by the Historical Flight of the Royal Netherlands Airforce and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
After the service, Princess Royal will pay a private visit to the home of the daughter of The Angel of Arnhem, Kate ter Horst, who bravely tended to hundreds of injured British soldiers during the battle.
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