GALLERY: Princess Anne in Guernsey for ‘Liberation 80’

Thousands of people heard The Princess Royal deliver a message from the King as Guernsey marked the 80th anniversary of the island’s liberation from German occupation.

Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne represented her older brother at events across Guernsey on Friday 9 May 2025, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

On arrival in St Peter Port, Her Royal Highness received the Royal Salute before being invited to inspect the front rank of the Parade.

She was escorted by Lieutenant-Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, His Excellency Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell and Parade Commander, Lieutenant Commander Tim Slann.

After inspecting the parade, Her Royal Highness delivered a message from King Charles III.

“To my most loyal people in the island of Guernsey, I send my warmest greetings on this the Eightieth Anniversary of your Liberation from enemy occupation,” read Princess Anee.

“I was interested to learn that this occasion will be commemorated and celebrated by people of all ages, with a focus on the ever-decreasing number who lived through the War, whether they were evacuees to the United Kingdom, stayed in occupied Guernsey or were forcibly deported to Europe. I also note today the attendance of leaders and people from Biberach, with whom Guernsey has so successfully reconciled itself since the War.  I am delighted that The Princess Royal has the opportunity to represent me on this special day in the island’s calendar. 

“The Queen and I have particularly fond memories of our all-too-brief visit to Guernsey last year and the wonderfully generous welcome we received.  As always, I am most grateful for your continued allegiance and loyalty and I am pleased to reaffirm the close ties that have existed for so long between the Crown and the people of the Bailiwick. 

“My thoughts and prayers remain with you for your future happiness and the prosperity of your beloved island.”

After delivering the message on behalf of the ‘Duc of Normandy’, Her Royal Highness and Sir Tim attended a service at the Town Church.

There were deep crowds along the Town Quay, and around the Town Church and Albion House pub as the Royal visitors made their way to the service.

During that ‘all faiths’ service – which was led by the Dean of Guernsey, with representatives from other faiths present too – Princess Anne gave a reading.

While in St Peter Port, Her Royal Highness met members of Guernsey’s wartime generation, and representatives from Biberach-an-der-Riss, a town in southern Germany where the majority of the 1,003 Guernsey residents who were deported by the occupying forces in 1942 and 1943 were sent to.

Following the church service, Princess Anne and Sir Tim attended the St Peter Port parish events marking the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation.

They heard the Festivé Choir sing in Guernésiais, before meeting more people who had lived during the Second World War. This included Ralph Godwin who was deported to Biberach with his parents and twin brother, Roland Duquemin who stayed in Guernsey as a young boy during the occupation and his wife, Margaret Duquemin, who was evacuated to Bradford with her mother and two sisters.

Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque to open the new Visitors’ Centre in St Peter Port Parish, and visited the George Crossan Gallery in the Market Buildings.

After taking a private lunch break, the Royal couple visited the St Peter’s parish events at L’Erée.

They listened to a Poetry Reading and saw a dance performance, before Her Royal Highness met more representatives of Guernsey’s wartime generation. This included siblings John Bourgaize, Winnie Keyho and Joyce Scratton (three of eighteen siblings). They had all remained in Guernsey during occupation.

Later in the afternoon, Her Royal Highness and Sir Tim spent time at the Batterie Mirus, a former German gun battery built by slave labourers during the occupation.

Festung Guernsey preserves the fortifications built during the German Occupation, with The Princess Royal able to tour the underground complex at Batterie Mirus, the largest naval battery in the Channel Islands.

Finally, during the evening, Her Royal Highness and Sir Tim attended a dinner and reception with local dignitaries, representatives from charitable organisations, visiting military units and visiting representatives from Germany and France.

GALLERY

All images provided by Chris George.