Princess Anne has delivered a heartfelt tribute at a ceremony in northern France marking the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, stressing the importance of preserving the memory and lessons of one of the First World War's deadliest conflicts.
Speaking at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, the Princess Royal reflected on the duty of future generations to remember those who gave their lives in the war.
"As time passes, and the Great War slips further into history, the responsibility to remember falls more clearly upon us," she said.
"Our duty is not only to honour sacrifice but to ensure that its lessons are neither forgotten nor taken for granted."
Princess Anne attended the commemorative ceremony in her role as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), joining others in paying tribute to the thousands of soldiers who lost their lives during the historic battle.
The Battle of the Somme began on July 1, 1916, and lasted 141 days. Allied forces, led primarily by British troops, launched the offensive to ease pressure on French forces fighting German troops along the Somme River.
It remains the bloodiest battle in British military history. On the opening day alone, around 20,000 British soldiers were killed or went missing, while another 40,000 were wounded, making it one of the most devastating days ever experienced by the British Army.
The anniversary ceremony served as a solemn reminder of the immense human cost of war and the enduring importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
