As the hardest working royal of 2024, it should come as no surprise that The Princess Royal has conducted her first overseas visit of 2025 already. Princess Anne undertook a two-day visit to South Africa, with her last visit to the country being in 2012 to commemorate Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
Anne undertook a number of engagements during the short trip, with the main focus of her visit being to help unveil the new Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial.

The Princess undertook a visit to the South African Riding for the Disabled Association. (Royal Family)
Her Royal Highness’ trip to South Africa began with a visit to the South African Riding for the Disabled Association, which has been providing free equine therapy, sport, and training to vulnerable members of society for over five decades. The Princess last visited the organisation on 25th November 1994.
SARDA is the only remaining riding-for-the-disabled training facility of its kind in South Africa, having served over 9,500 disadvantaged children and their families. Her Royal Highness, President of the Riding for the Disabled Association since March 1986 and its Patron since November 1971, has long championed the cause of therapeutic riding.
During the visit, The Princess was asked a rare personal question by 11-year-old Lashwill, who inquired, ‘How many ponies do you have?; With a smile, Her Royal Highness replied, ‘More than I should have,’ adding that there was ‘one I do ride.’

Princess Anne was quizzed about how many horses she has during her trip. (Royal Family)
Later, The Princess Royal toured the British High Commission Residence Garden with Mr. Leon Kluge, gold medalist at the 2024 Chelsea Flower Show for his work with the Cape Floral Kingdom, and Mr. Bulelani Bashe, Head Horticulturist at the Grootbos Foundation.
The Grootbos Foundation focuses on conserving the Cape Floral Kingdom’s unique biodiversity while promoting sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism, education, enterprise, and sports development.
Our partners and friends gathered to share their stories and important work in 🇿🇦 with the Princess Royal.#UKwithSA pic.twitter.com/tAW7x5Bk57
— UK in South Africa🇬🇧🇿🇦 (@ukinsouthafrica) January 22, 2025
To commemorate her visit, Her Royal Highness planted a Princess Anne Rose in the Residence Garden. This exquisite rose variety features deep pink blooms that fade to a rich, pure pink, with unusually substantial, narrow petals that hint at yellow on their undersides. The flowers grow in large, fragrant clusters and are exceptionally healthy, forming a bushy, upright shrub with thick, glossy foliage.

Anne marked her visit to South Africa by planting a rose named after her. (Royal Family)
The second and final day of Anne’s visit began with supporting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, as President, where she assisted in the unveiling of the Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial.
This new memorial honours the contributions of South African military labourers during the First World War. Located in the Company’s Garden, Cape Town, near prominent cultural landmarks, it serves as a site of remembrance while addressing historical inequalities in commemoration. Historically, the (then) Imperial War Graves Commission, along with colonial administrations, failed to properly honour at least 100,000 African and Indian service personnel, offering them lesser recognition than their European counterparts.

Princess Anne attended the unveiling of a new war memorial. (Royal Family)
This landmark memorial stands as a tribute to the overlooked contributions of South Africa’s military labourers during the First World War, employing contemporary design to present a fuller, more inclusive narrative of global conflict.
During the ceremony, Anne met with Vice Admiral Peter Hudson, Vice Chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and addressed the guests in attendance. In her speech, Anne remarked: ‘This memorial is a reminder of a shared but sometimes difficult past. It also demonstrates that, through honesty, openness, and collaboration, we can make a meaningful difference. It is crucial to acknowledge that those we honour today have gone unrecognised for far too long. These were the men of the South African Military Labour Corps who served with valour in the campaigns of the First World War’.
‘They gave their all in the most challenging of circumstances. Their courage and dedication were essential to the Allied efforts, and their legacy deserves the lasting recognition that this memorial provides.’
Cape Town’s Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, also addressed the gathering, stating: ‘We are proud to honour, through this Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial, more than 1,700 servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against tyranny over a century ago. This memorial is a fitting tribute to the black South African servicemen who perished in the First World War, and whose stories were often overlooked in history. There is no better place to commemorate their contribution than here in the beautiful and much-loved Company’s Garden, in the heart of the Mother City.’
We are deeply honoured and grateful to our President, HRH The Princess Royal, for joining us in unveiling this truly remarkable memorial today.
Present at the ceremony were descendants whose relatives put their lives on the line for the freedoms we all enjoy today. @RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/HqhJV51Zd2
— Commonwealth War Graves (@CWGC) January 22, 2025
A number of descendants of the military labourers attended the service. Among the wreaths laid was one placed on behalf of the families of the fallen. Zweletu Hlakula attended the unveiling as the great-grandson of Job Hlakula, who died while serving with the Labour Corps. He noted his pride, stating: ‘We are very proud of him. We even rejoice when we talk about Job. It’s a pride that we carry in our name. For him to be remembered, for him to be part of the history of South Africa — this makes us very humble.’
The Princess Royal, then continued her South African visit with a series of engagements that celebrated the legacy of historical figures, empowered young people, and spotlighted groundbreaking science and compassionate care.

Princess Anne visited the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation (Royal Family)
The Princess visited the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, where she learned about the extraordinary life and work of Archbishop Tutu. The Foundation commemorates his pivotal role in championing justice and healing during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and carries forward his legacy through its ongoing programmes.
During a tour of the Foundation’s museum, Her Royal Highness explored the exhibition ‘Truth to Power: Desmond Tutu & The Churches – In the Struggle Against Apartheid’. Along the way, she engaged with staff members who highlighted key moments in Archbishop Tutu’s life and his contributions to the anti-apartheid movement. The Princess concluded her visit by meeting with young people involved in the Leaders for Humanity programme, an initiative aimed at continuing Archbishop Tutu’s values of leadership, compassion, and social justice.
The Princess Royal visits the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa today.
📸 Aaron Chown/PA pic.twitter.com/iewf1PFgdM
— 🌻Sarahsecret (@sarahdiaryz) January 22, 2025
Later, Her Royal Highness visited the Royal Cape Yacht Club, where she was introduced to the work of the Royal Cape Sailing Academy. This initiative provides opportunities for young people from under-resourced communities to learn sailing, equipping them with valuable skills, self-confidence, and leadership qualities.
The Princess met former participants of the Cape2Rio Race, including Jennifer Webb, who recounted her remarkable experience of surviving a whale strike during the 1971 race. As a seasoned sailor herself, The Princess Royal offered advice to young women hoping to join the Royal Cape Yacht Club’s entry for this year’s transatlantic Cape2Rio race. Reflecting on the challenges of sailing in close quarters, she remarked, ‘You’re all going to have to learn to live together on the boat’.
Jennifer Burger, manager of the sailing academy, added: ‘She also shared that she windsurfed for fitness and was never allowed to sail dinghies’

With a passion for sailing, Anne visited the Royal Cape Yacht Club to hear about the work of Royal Cape Sailing Academy. (Royal Family)
The Princess Royal’s itinerary also included a visit to the South African Astronomical Observatory, the leading centre for optical and infrared astronomy on the African continent. Her Royal Highness toured the historic observatory, established in the 1820s under British royal patronage, and explored the McClean Telescope.
During her visit, she engaged with astronomers who shared insights into the observatory’s pioneering work, including the Southern African Large Telescope — the largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. The facility’s cutting-edge research supports global astronomy and furthers understanding of the universe.
Her final stop was a visit to a Thuthuzela Care Centre, a haven for survivors of sexual assault. These centres provide integrated support services — counselling, medical care, and legal assistance — under one roof to reduce the risk of secondary trauma often caused by recounting experiences to multiple agencies.

Princess Anne also heard how victims of sexual assault are supported in South Africa. (Royal Family)
At the TCC, The Princess Royal met with the dedicated team working around the clock to support survivors. She spoke with Dr. Esme Swanepoel, who elaborated on the centre’s holistic approach to care. By creating a compassionate and streamlined support system, the TCCs ensure survivors receive the help they need in a safe, respectful environment.
Princess Anne’s visit to South Africa underscored her commitment to honouring legacies, empowering young people, and supporting vital institutions that contribute to healing, innovation, and community growth in the country.