**Princess Anne Misses Remembrance Sunday to Embark on Royal Tour of Australia and Singapore**
Princess Anne was notably absent from this weekend’s Remembrance Sunday service, traditionally led by her brother, King Charles III. Usually a regular fixture at the poignant event, which pays tribute to fallen service members from World War II and other global conflicts, the Princess Royal was unable to attend this year due to a scheduling conflict. Her absence was caused by an important six-day visit to Australia and Singapore alongside her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, making a 2025 appearance at the Remembrance service impossible.
**A Centenary Celebration and Diplomatic Mission**
The royal couple began their overseas tour on 8 November to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, of which Princess Anne serves as Colonel-in-Chief. The diplomatic visit covers Australia and Singapore, and the packed itinerary prevents Anne from participating in the Cenotaph ceremony to mark the Armistice of the First World War and honour all British and Commonwealth forces who have served in conflict.
**Remembrance Sunday in the UK**
While Princess Anne travelled abroad, senior royals in the UK continued the tradition of remembrance at home. King Charles III was joined by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to pay tribute at the Cenotaph. Around 10,000 members of the public gathered on Whitehall in London to witness the March Past, observe a two-minute silence, and attend the annual wreath-laying ceremony.
**Princess Anne’s Engagements in Australia**
During her four-day visit to Australia, the Princess Royal will undertake a series of military engagements in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to commemorate the signal corps centenary. As President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Anne will lay a wreath at the Sydney War Cemetery and the Anzac Memorial, marking her ongoing commitment to remembrance.
On Saturday, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence were welcomed to Australia by Governor-General Sam Mostyn and her husband Simon Beckett at Admiralty House. The royal couple received a traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony conducted by Cammeraygal Elder Brendan Kerin in honour of their visit. In her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief, Anne will participate in celebrations across the country honoring the Royal Australian Corps of Signals’ centennial, joined by the Governor-General in laying a wreath at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park and attending a ceremonial parade at Victoria Barracks.
**Singapore’s Diplomatic Milestone**
Following Australia, the Princess Royal will continue her tour in Singapore on 12 and 13 November. The visit, at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Singapore. During her two-day stay, Princess Anne’s itinerary includes official audiences with Singapore’s president and prime minister, as well as a visit to the Kranji War Memorial to further honour fallen servicemen and women.
The final day of her trip will see the Princess Royal touring the Airbus Asia Training Centre and Rolls-Royce’s Seletar campus, further strengthening ties between the nations.
As Princess Anne fulfills her royal duties abroad, she remains steadfast in her commitment to the Commonwealth and to honouring those who have served and sacrificed. Her absence from the Remembrance Sunday service in London is a reminder of the global reach and responsibilities of the British royal family.
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/866526/why-princess-anne-missed-remembrance-sunday-service/
