It was sisterly double duty at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday as the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Edinburgh stepped in for King Charles and hosted a reception for Korean War veterans.
Anne and Sophie welcomed around 200 Korean War veterans to Buckingham Palace for an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice. Also in attendance were representatives from the Royal British Legion, the Ministry of Defence and the Korean Embassy.
At the reception, Princess Anne read out a speech on behalf of the King, who noted that it “has been a personal ambition of mine to invite you all, in some form, to Buckingham Palace to recognise this significant milestone and ensure you are all most deservingly honoured for your valiant service over seventy years ago.”
He expressed his frustrations and disappointments that he was unable to attend the reception in person, but assured the veterans that “I can only hope that you are being well looked after in my absence and I am most grateful to the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Edinburgh for standing in for me.”
The King thanked the veterans gathered for their role in securing peace within South Korea, conveying that during last year’s South Korean State Visit, President Yoon had declared that “Korea would not have the political freedom, economic prosperity and flourishing culture today, that has extended far beyond its borders, without your bravery all those years ago.”
Princess Anne ended the speech by telling the veterans that it is a duty to always remember the ‘Forgotten War’, and that “We salute all those who remain among us, and offer our most heartfelt and undying gratitude for those who have gone before. Your service and your sacrifice will echo through the ages.”
Read the full speech here.
Ahead of the reception, King Charles met with a small group of Korean War veterans—Alan Guy, Mike Mogridge, Brian Parritt and Ronald Yardly—at a pre-reception event to personally thank them all.
The King was unable to attend due to his ongoing cancer treatment.
