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The Gloucesters

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester send apologies to the Channel Islands over cancelled visit on Liberation Day

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have sent their apologies and good wishes to the people of the Channel Islands after their visit to mark Liberation Day was forced to be cancelled.

Due to the ongoing public health emergency, it is not possible for Their Royal Highnesses to travel to the Islands to mark the 75th anniversary of Liberation Day.

In a letter to islanders, Prince Richard said he and Birgitte are sorry not to be there, but hope to be guests on the island again soon.

In a letter, the Duke said: “The Duchess and I had been looking forward to sharing the planned celebrations this weekend with the people of Jersey, Guernsey and Sark and, particularly, to meeting some of the islanders who lived through the hardship of five years of occupation, followed by the experience of Liberation 75 years ago.

“Our thoughts are with you all as you commemorate this important anniversary and remember the many different experiences and grievances that occurred at that time, and we are sorry that we are not able to join you as we had hoped.

“We have happy memories of previous visits to Jersey, Guernsey and Sark, however, and hope to be able to come back in the near future.”

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have visited the Channel Islands on many occasions over the years.

Their first visit there together as a couple was over 40 years ago 1978.