Princess Anne visited God’s Acre veteran’s cemetery in Esquimalt, B.C., where she laid a wreath to honour over 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there. This visit was part of her three-day West Coast tour, which began with the commissioning of the first Arctic patrol vessel for Canada’s Pacific fleet, HMCS Max Bernays. The cemetery, which dates back to 1868, is a national historic site. Princess Anne’s tour also included a commemorative service for the Battle of the Atlantic at the B.C. legislature, a visit to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, and a meeting with members of the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association.
The tour of the cemetery by Princess Anne holds great significance as she is the current president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which oversees the care of 23,000 war memorials and cemeteries worldwide commemorating 1.7 million Commonwealth casualties. David Loveridge, the director of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for Canada, Americas, and the Pacific, expressed gratitude for Princess Anne’s presence in Canada and her gesture of laying a wreath at God’s Acre veterans’ cemetery to commemorate the veterans buried there. Princess Anne arrived at Esquimalt Harbour on HMCS Max Bernays to a 21-gun salute, wearing a Canadian navy uniform and hat.
Navy enthusiasts and royal watchers gathered at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse to greet the ship and Princess Anne as they arrived in Esquimalt Harbour. Princess Anne holds the title of honorary commodore of the navy and conducted the commissioning ceremony for HMCS Max Bernays. Murray Baines expressed his excitement at catching a glimpse of the princess and the patrol vessel, while the Department of National Defence highlighted the symbolic presentation of the keys to the commanding officer and the breaking of the ship’s commissioning pennant during the introduction of HMCS Max Bernays into the fleet. Commander Collin Forsberg described the vessel’s purpose in exercising Canadian sovereignty in northern waters and preparing the navy for future defence challenges in the North.
The introduction of the patrol vessel HMCS Max Bernays into the fleet was a significant event, featuring key ceremonial elements such as the presentation of the keys to the commanding officer and the breaking of the ship’s commissioning pennant. Commander Collin Forsberg explained that the vessel is designed for exercising Canadian sovereignty in northern waters and will help the navy prepare to meet future defence challenges in the North. Princess Anne’s presence at the commissioning ceremony and her visit to God’s Acre veteran’s cemetery underscored her commitment to honouring and commemorating the sacrifices of military personnel and their families. The tour of the cemetery grounds by Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, was a poignant and meaningful gesture appreciated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Overall, Princess Anne’s visit to Canada included significant events such as the commissioning of HMCS Max Bernays, her participation in the commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic, and her visit to God’s Acre veteran’s cemetery. These activities highlighted her role as the president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and her dedication to honouring the memory of Commonwealth casualties. The introduction of HMCS Max Bernays into the fleet marked a milestone in the navy’s readiness to address defence challenges in northern waters. Princess Anne’s presence at these events showcased her support for the military and her commitment to commemorating the sacrifices of service members and their families.
