Princess Royal set to visit islands for 80th Liberation

To mark Guernsey’s Liberation on 9 May The Princess Royal will attend a range of engagements across the island. During her visit, she will meet people who lived through the Occupation, as well as evacuees, veterans, volunteers, and those involved in organising this year’s celebrations.

Sark was liberated on 10 May 1945, the day after Guernsey. The Princess Royal will visit Sark on Saturday 10 May to mark its Liberation anniversary, where she will meet residents who lived in Sark during the Occupation.

She will hear about their personal experiences, as well as the military significance of the island during the war.

Sark Seigneur Christopher Beaumont said the island looked forward to the princess returning to Sark.

‘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,’ he said.

Lt-Governor Richard Cripwell said it would be a privilege to welcome the Princess Royal to the islands.

‘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,’ he said.

‘I am very pleased that Her Royal Highness will be here to share this significant anniversary with us all.’

Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon said he was delighted the princess would be joining in with the day.

‘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,’ he said.

The Princess Royal first visited the Bailiwick in 1972, and has since made half a dozen visits to the island.

The most recent visit was to Guernsey and Sark in 2018, when she saw Torteval Church’s restoration work and displays about rural and historic Guernsey, before visiting Point Robert lighthouse in Sark.

More details about the visit will be released in due course.

Policy & Resources Committee president Lyndon Trott said that preparations were well under way for Liberation.

‘We are grateful to everyone who is working hard to make it a success,’ he said.