Anne takes on sombre last-minute overseas task for Charles amid packed diary

26 February 2024 , 13:38

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Princess Anne at the funeral for the late Namibian President Hage Geingob (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Princess Anne has undertaken a last-minute overseas visit on behalf of King Charles for a sombre reason.

The 73-year-old, who is regarded as the hardest-working royal, was forced to miss her beloved Scotland rugby team's victory over England in the Six Nations in order to travel to Namibia for the funeral of President Hage Geingob. Anne flew out to the African nation on Friday in time for the funeral service on Saturday, where she represented the King, and was seen arriving at the service for the leader, who died at the age of 82 earlier this month after receiving treatment for cancer.

Anne arrives at the funeral in the Namibian capital Windhoek (AFP via Getty Images)

Afterwards, she offered her condolences to the late president's widow Monica Geingos and also signed a book of condolence in front of a framed portrait of Mr Geingob that was surrounded by candles. Mr Geingob had been Namibia's third president since it gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. He had been leader since 2015 and had been expected to complete a second term and final term in office this year. Vice President Nangolo Mbumba has been sworn in as acting president until an election takes place later this year.

However, it was a very short visit to Namibia for the princess as she travelled back to the UK in order to fulfil an engagement at the British Horseracing Authority's Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards 2024 at Ascot Racecourse today. Anne's trip comes as the King is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and has postponed all public-facing duties. However, he is continuing with his red boxes of state papers behind the scenes.

King Charles looks through cards from wellwishers (Getty Images)

And last week, he was left tickled pink by a well-wisher's card showing a disgruntled dog recovering from medical treatment and telling him "at least you don’t have to wear a cone!" Charles had been pictured looking through some of the 7,000 messages of support Buckingham Palace ’' correspondence team has received from around the world since his cancer diagnosis.

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Many share their own experiences of cancer or offer their good wishes and advice for a speedy recovery, with one adult well-wisher telling the King: "Chin up, chest out, remain positive and don’t let it get you down. Trust me, it works, but the main thing is family." While a child sent the message: "Never give up. Be brave. Don’t push your limits. Get Well Soon."

Sitting at a desk in a room in Buckingham Palace’s Belgian Suite, Charles laughed when he came across the card, from an adult well-wisher, illustrated with a picture of the terrier-like dog wearing a collar and feeling sorry for itself.

Charles looked at the messages, sent in his daily red box of paperwork, on Wednesday and during that day carried out his first face-to-face official duties – an audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a Privy Council meeting – since his condition was made public. Footage was released of the King meeting Mr Sunak and he said he had been reduced to tears by the messages and cards of support he had received.

Jennifer Newton