The Princess Royal is currently on a royal tour of South Africa, undertaking a series of engagements aimed at celebrating heritage, supporting charitable initiatives, and strengthening ties between the UK and the region.
On Tuesday, 21st January, Princess Anne kicked off her visit with a trip to the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA). The organisation, which has provided free equine therapy and training to vulnerable communities for over half a century, first welcomed Her Royal Highness back in 1994.
SARDA, which remains the only riding facility of its kind in the country, has served over 9,500 disadvantaged children and their families, with scholars from the programme achieving an impressive tally of six gold, two silver, and four bronze medals at the Paralympics.
As President of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) – a position she has held since 1986 – The Princess Royal praised SARDA’s continued commitment to transforming lives through equine therapy.
Later in the day, Princess Anne toured the British High Commission Residence Garden, where she was joined by renowned horticulturist Leon Kluge, a Chelsea Flower Show 2024 gold medallist, and Bulelani Bashe, Head Horticulturist at the Grootbos Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to preserving the Cape Floral Kingdom while fostering sustainable development through ecotourism, education, and sports.
To mark her visit, Her Royal Highness planted a ‘Princess Anne’ rose in the garden – a symbolic gesture of the enduring friendship between the UK and South Africa.
A Packed Agenda
Earlier today (Wednesday, 22nd January), the Princess Royal, in her role as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), unveiled the new Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial. The memorial honours the sacrifices made by South African military labourers during the First World War, in line with the CWGC’s ongoing efforts to ensure equal recognition for all who served in the global conflicts.
Following this, Princess Anne paid a visit to the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, where she learned about the extraordinary legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the foundation’s mission to combat discrimination and injustice.
During a tour of the museum’s ‘Truth to Power: Desmond Tutu & The Churches’ exhibition, the Princess met staff and young leaders involved in the Leaders for Humanity programme, which aims to carry forward the Archbishop’s vision of unity and social justice.
Her Royal Highness then visited the Royal Cape Yacht Club, where she was briefed on the work of the Royal Cape Sailing Academy. The academy provides young people from underprivileged backgrounds with opportunities to develop life-changing skills through sailing.
The Princess met former participants of the prestigious Cape 2 Rio Race, including Jennifer Webb, who survived a dramatic shipwreck in 1971 when her boat was sunk by a whale during the grueling race.
Exploring the Skies and Supporting Survivors
The royal tour continued with a visit to the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), the country’s leading centre for optical and infrared astronomy. Princess Anne was given an exclusive tour of the historic McClean Telescopeand learned about the observatory’s key role in overseeing the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) – the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Concluding her packed itinerary, The Princess Royal visited a Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), a facility that provides vital support to survivors of sexual assault.
Operating 24/7, TCCs offer a safe space where survivors can access medical, legal, and psychological support in one place, helping to prevent further trauma. Princess Anne met with dedicated staff and volunteers delivering crucial services to those in need.
Strengthening Ties
Princess Anne’s visit underscores the UK’s longstanding relationship with South Africa, highlighting efforts to support charities, heritage, and humanitarian causes. Her engagements reflect her ongoing commitment to public service and fostering collaboration across the Commonwealth.
With a schedule filled with meaningful visits and heartfelt interactions, the Princess Royal’s South African tour continues to strengthen the enduring bond between the two nations.
