Princess Anne dons naval uniform and proudly displays her service medals as she joins husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence in marking Armed Forces Day at the National Memorial Arboretum
- Princess Anne, 70, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence marked Armed Forces Day
- Displayed service medals as arrived ar National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas
- The Red Arrows left trail of red, white and blue smoke as they performed flypast
The Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence saluted the work of British servicemen and women as they marked Armed Forces Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, near Lichfield, Staffordshire today.
Princess Anne, 70, donned her naval uniform and displayed her service medals, including the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Naval medal, as she watched The Red Arrows leave a trail of red, white and blue smoke as they performed a flypast on Saturday morning.
The Olympian also displayed the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) (New Zealand), the Coronation Medal, the Silver Jubilee Medal, and the Golden Jubilee Medal, the Diamond Jubilee Medal, which was given to members of the Royal Household as well as the armed forces, prison service, and emergency services, prison service to mark the Queen’s sixtieth year on the throne.
She also had her Order of St John medal to mark her 30-year association with the St John’s Ambulance as well as the Canadian Forces Decoration.
The Princess Royal saluted the work of British servicemen and women as she marked Armed Forces Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, near Lichfield today (pictured)
Princess Anne donned military regalia and displayed her service medals, including the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Naval medal. Pictured, with Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence
The Red Arrows left a trail of red, white and blue smoke as they performed a flypast on Saturday morning as part of this year’s more muted celebrations
As with other senior royals, Princess Anne holds a number of appointments in the armed forces of Commonwealth realms, but has never been part of active service.
She is an honorary Rear Admiral and is Chief Commandant of Women in the Royal Navy.
Anne was joined today by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, who also showed his medals reflecting many years of military service.
To honour the military forces, many countries around the world hold an annual celebration similar to Veterans Day in the US and in the UK, it is referred to as Armed Forces Day.
Anne was joined today by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, who also showed his medals reflecting many years of military service (pictured)
Armed Forces Day gives communities the chance to show support to the men and women who are currently serving, Service families, veterans and cadets. Pictured, The Red Arrows flypast on Saturday morning
Armed Forces Day gives communities the chance to show support to the men and women who are currently serving, Service families, veterans and cadets.
After replacing previous Veterans’ Day, Armed Forces Day was first observed in 2009 on the day after the anniversary of the first investiture ceremony for the Victoria Cross military medal for heroism, which was held on June 26, 1957.
The celebrations were held at a former Royal Navy base, the Chatham Historic Dockyard, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, his wife Sarah, Prince Richard, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were in attendance.
Every year, a different city holds the national event, with celebrations taking place for a week with Armed Forces Day being held on the last Saturday each June.