Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to visit Guernsey and Sark

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will visit the islands of Guernsey and Sark on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May to mark the 80th anniversary of the Bailiwick’s Liberation. During her visit, The Princess Royal will undertake a number of official engagements.

The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles under German control during World War II. Between 1940 – 1945, they were occupied by German forces and became the most fortified part of the Atlantic Wall. The islands’ celebrations on 9 and 10 May come immediately after Victory in Europe (VE Day) on 8 May and mark the anniversaries of Guernsey’s and Sark’s liberation from German Occupation.

The Princess Royal will join islanders for two days of commemoration and celebration across the islands, as the community remembers the days of Occupation, recognising its profound impact on both the landscapes and the lives of the people of Guernsey and Sark.

The Liberation of the Bailiwick began with the arrival of HMS Bulldog in St Peter Port, Guernsey on 9 May 1945, which saw German forces formally sign a declaration of surrender aboard the vessel at dawn. To mark the 80th anniversary of this historic moment, on 9 May, The Princess Royal will attend a range of engagements across Guernsey. During her visit, she will meet people who lived through the Occupation, as well as evacuees, veterans, volunteers, and members of the community who have organised this year’s celebrations.

Sark was liberated on 10 May 1945, the day after Guernsey. The Princess Royal will visit Sark on 10 May to mark its Liberation anniversary, where she will meet residents who lived in Sark during the Occupation. The Princess Royal will hear about their personal experiences of those years, as well as the military significance of the island during the war.

The Lieutenant-Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell, said:

‘It will be a great privilege to welcome The Princess Royal to the Bailiwick as Europe marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War. The occupation and liberation of these islands remain within living memory, offering a powerful

reminder of the value of freedom and the cost of defending it. I am very pleased that Her Royal Highness will be here to share this significant anniversary with us all.’

The Bailiff of Guernsey, Sir Richard McMahon said:

“We are delighted that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will be joining islanders to mark 80 years of Liberation here. The day is an opportunity to celebrate our island’s history, resilience and freedom, ensuring that the sacrifices made for our liberty are never forgotten.”

Deputy Lyndon Trott OBE, Chief Minister of Guernsey, said:

“Given The Princess Royal’s interest in and appreciation of military and naval history, we are delighted to have this opportunity to share this 80th Liberation anniversary with her, as we mark this important moment in the history of our island. Preparations are well underway across the community for a fantastic celebration, and we are grateful to everyone who is working hard to make it a success.”

Christopher Beaumont, Seigneur of Sark, said:

“We look forward to receiving The Princess Royal on 10 May, as our island celebrates 80 years of freedom. It is a privilege to welcome her back and share with her Sark’s distinct and fascinating role during the Occupation years, as well as showcasing the island today. Our island has many unique and often-unheard stories to tell from the Occupation, and this anniversary gives us an excellent opportunity to tell those stories and remember those who were evacuated, and then returned after Liberation to rebuild our community.”

The Princess Royal last visited the islands of Guernsey and Sark in 2018.

More details about the visit, including information about where islanders can see The Princess Royal, will be released closer to the time.