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British Royals

Princess Anne’s moving tribute to the victims of the Lockerbie bombing

The Princess Royal was moved to tears as she paid tribute to those killed in the Lockerbie bombing.

Princess Anne laid a wreath at the memorial garden in Lockerbie on a visit to honour those who lost their lives in the attack.

The Princess looked emotional as she walked through the garden at the Lockerbie Garden of Remembrance at Dryfesdale cemetery.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Dumfries, Fiona Armstrong, told the Princess that Lockerbie was honoured to welcome her to pay tribute.

In a short and moving speech as the Princess Royal arrived, the Lord-Lieutenant spoke of the vibrancy of Lockerbie and of the devastation of the bombing.

On the night of December 21st 1988, a bomb exploded on Pan Am flight 103 as it flew above Lockerbie. All 259 people on board were killed. As the debris hit the town, 11 people in Lockerbie lost their lives.

Their names are engraved on a wall at the Garden of Remembrance.

Princess Anne placed her wreath before that and then bowed her head in an act of commemoration. As she walked away, there were tears in her eyes.

The Princess Royal also visited the Dryfesdale Lodge Visitor Centre which serves as a memorial centre.

Her Royal Highness later unveiled a plaque at the garden and signed the visitor’s book, leaving her tribute again.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.