THE Princess Royal spent a busy day in the Island yesterday, the highlight being Her Royal Highness unveiling a portrait by Jersey artist Jason Butler of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s visit to the Island last year.
The new Bailiff, Robert MacRae, in welcoming Princess Anne to the States Building, where the portrait will hang, described it as capturing a “natural and spontaneous moment” of the Sovereign’s visit, a moment of calm before the deluge.
They were well chosen words that could equally be applied to the King’s sister, a relatively frequent visitor to the Island who conducts her Visits with much dignity but little fuss.
Observing Her Royal Highness as she spoke with Jurats, States Members and other Islanders lined up to meet the Royal Visitor, one sensed that no one was rushed nor was anyone short of words; there was just an effortless flow.
After the portrait was unveiled – with the Royal Visitor spending a good deal of time speaking with the artist about his oeuvre – she moved up to the Old Library to meet Islanders old and new all connected to the Jersey Branch of the Royal Air Force Association, which is celebrating its centenary this year.
After the Princess Royal had spent time speaking with the various groups of people, several weighed down with bars of gleaming medals, each described the ease of conversation and interest the Royal guest had showed.
Earlier in the day, Princess Anne had also visited the recently refurbished Opera House; a venue she returned to last night for the Durrell Lecture.
The portrait of last year’s Royal Visit is now on public display in the Royal Court Building and may be viewed:
Monday to Friday: 9 am – 5 pm
Saturday 8 November and Saturday 15 November: 10 am – 3 pm
Admission is free. Visitors are asked to use the main entrance to the Royal Court Building in The Royal Square.
