Princess Anne steps up to the game as she takes on last minute overseas trip for the King

Princess Anne has flown overseas on a last-minute visit to represent her brother King Charles at a funeral, as the monarch continues to recover from cancer treatment.

Princess Anne missed Scotland’s rugby match at the weekend to attend a funeral in Namibia. The hard-working royal, 73, was representing King Charles at the funeral of President Hage Geingob and flew to Africa on Friday for the Saturday service. It meant the Princess Royal, who has been patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since June 1986, was forced to skip the epic Calcutta Cup match on Saturday, which saw her beloved team take victory over England in the Six Nations.

The president, who passed away at 82 after battling cancer, had been Namibia’s leader since 2015. After the service, reports the Mirror, Princess Anne offered her sympathies to the late president’s wife, Monica Geingos, and signed a book of condolence. Vice President Nangolo Mbumba will serve as acting president until an election later this year.

But even though Princess Anne had a brief stay in Namibia, she made sure to rush back home for the British Horseracing Authority’s Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards 2024 at Ascot Racecourse. The quick trip took place whilst the King is getting treatment for cancer and has paused all his public duties, conducting official business behind closed doors.

Just last week, an amusing get-well card from a fan got him chuckling. It had a picture of a grumpy pooch after a vet visit saying “at least you don’t have to wear a cone!” Since the King’s unfortunate diagnosis, folks from all corners of the world have sent over 7,000 supportive messages.