Alderney marked a poignant milestone yesterday as a Royal visitor joined Ridunians for the 80th anniversary of Homecoming.
Her Royal Highness, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh began her Alderney visit with a service taking place at St Anne’s Parish Church.
Crowds awaited the Duchess, who greeted onlookers with smiles, handshakes, and an exchanging of pleasantries, having arrived on-island via helicopter just moments before.
Guernsey’s Lieutenant-Governor, the Lieutenant-General Richard Cripwell, KBE, CBE, his aide-de-comp, Marco Ciotti, LVO, the Bailiff, Sir Richard McMahon, and the Dean of Guernsey, the Very Reverend Tim Barker, were all in attendance as part of the visiting delegation.
They were joined by Alderney States Members, representatives from the Church, and Islanders honouring their ancestors, loved ones, and all those who gave greatly during the war years, and the decades of rebuilding that took place following the occupation.
After a special church service commemorating the brave islanders who stayed on Alderney throughout the occupation, and those that returned home after World War 2, the delegation made their way to the Island’s Court House, for a ceremonial wreath laying, before a tour of the island’s museum.
The last stop for Her Royal Highness, and the Guernsey delegation, was the Island Hall, where the Duchess planted a tree, and met with Homecomers, and their families.
Invited Ridunians were then treated to an afternoon tea of sandwiches, cake, and hot drinks, before the delegation then made their way back to Alderney Airport.
Her Royal Highness was described by several members of the public as “lovely”, “friendly”, and “approachable”.
