Princess Anne, the Queen’s daughter, concluded her low-key visit to New York this week by catching a commercial flight back home.
The 72-year-old Princess Royal was seen carrying her own bags as she walked through JFK Airport earlier today.
Despite the lack of press and photo opportunities, Princess Anne managed to complete four royal engagements during her whirlwind tour of the city.
This visit to the United States is significant as it marks the first trip made by a senior member of the royal family since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to California in 2020.
It is also the first visit following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they made allegations of racism within the family.
Dressed in a smart black outfit consisting of tailored trousers and a dark blazer, Princess Anne braved the cool New York weather by wearing a thick polo neck jumper.
Adding a pop of color to her ensemble, she accessorized with a white and black neck scarf.
The understated royal was spotted carrying her own bags, including a handbag and a large green backpack-style bag.
She also wore a set of dangling pearly earrings.
Known for her hard work, Princess Anne surprised everyone by making appearances at various sites and presenting awards.
Upon arriving at John F. Kennedy Airport, she was warmly greeted by His Majesty’s Consul General for New York, Mrs. Emma Wade-Smith.
Later, she attended a gala dinner for the English-speaking union at the Cosmopolitan Club, where she was the guest of honor.
Before the dinner, Princess Anne took a trip on the Staten Island Ferry to visit the National Lighthouse Museum.
She then attended a reception at the View at the Battery.
Following these engagements, she visited the residence of His Majesty’s Consul General for New York to present honors.
Finally, she attended a gala dinner held by the Gordon Stone American Foundation at the Racquet and Tennis Club on Park Avenue, in her role as patron of the campaign for Gordon Stone.
Despite the recent controversies surrounding the royal family, Princess Anne received a warm welcome from New Yorkers.
This visit not only showcased her dedication to her royal duties but also dispelled any rumors of unpopularity among senior royals in the US.
The allegations made by Harry and Meghan during their interview with Oprah last year sent shockwaves throughout the royal family.
While they did not name the member of the family who raised concerns about their son Archie’s skin color, the couple clarified that it was neither the Queen nor the Duke of Edinburgh.
In response to the interview, Queen Elizabeth II expressed her sadness for Harry and Meghan’s experience within the firm and emphasized that the issues raised, particularly those related to race, would be addressed privately.
Since the interview aired, no senior member of the royal family has visited the US.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan have been building their lives in Santa Barbara, where Harry plays for the Los Padres polo team and Meghan has launched her successful podcast, Archetypes.
Princess Anne’s visit to the US, her second official appearance since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, proved that she remains a beloved member of the royal family.
Just days after attending the Queen’s funeral, she made a visit to Portsmouth Naval Base to meet Royal Navy personnel.
Now, as she heads back home, Princess Anne leaves behind a memorable and impactful trip to New York City.