Members of the Royal Family are touring the four nations of the UK this weekend to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. The Earl and Countess of Wessex are in Northern Ireland, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in Wales with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Lawrence have visited Edinburgh.
Princess Anne has had quite the adventure in Edinburgh so far.
With the Service of Thanksgiving in the morning in London at St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Princess Royal had to get moving immediately to get to Edinburgh.
On Friday, Anne spent the afternoon at the Edinburgh Zoo with her husband. They met with Ukrainian refugees in the Rainforest Room at the Zoo and spent time learning about the animals there with the children.
The couple then went to the penguin enclosure for one of the most unique moments from the Platinum Jubilee weekend so far- penguin feeding. Penguins’ Rock is a very popular area of the zoo and is the home of Sir Nils Olav. Officially known as Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III, Nils is the colonel-in-chief and mascot of the Norwegian King’s Guard. He is a king penguin, and is the third penguin since 1972 to hold the role. The enclosure also has rockhopper and gentoo penguins.
Both Anne and Tim appeared to have a wonderful time feeding the penguins and learning more about them.
The Princess Royal and her husband then went to visit HMS Albion. Before boarding the ship, the Princess inspected the Guard of Honour on behalf of her mother.
Once upon the ship, the ship’s chef, Chris Lynch, presented Anne with the Captain’s Sword so that she could cut a commemorative Platinum Jubilee cake. In her normal spirit, the Princess decisively cut the cake.
Princess Anne has returned to England, and is attending the Epsom Derby with her daughter, Zara Philips. Both are accomplished equestrians and have competed in the Olympics.
