Princess Anne begins whirlwind military tour in Australia amid bombshell royal developments involving brother Andrew

Princess Anne has touched down in Australia as part of her whirlwind royal tour, amid the fallout of her brother King Charles stripping Prince Andrew of his titles.

The Princess Royal touched down in Sydney on Saturday morning.

Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, has accompanied the princess as a guest of the Australian Defence Force, marking 100 years since the formation of the corps.

The 75-year-old was met with a military welcome at Government House. She was later greeted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Admiralty House before a smoking ceremony and welcome to country.

She laid a wreath at the Sydney war cemetery during a remembrance service, and spent time with the family of fallen soldier Sergeant Brett Wood who died in Afghanistan.

Princess Anne has spent the rest of the day recovering from the long flight, before she will attend a series of military events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane over the coming days.

One involves the Princess attending a Remembrance service and centenary parade and reception on Sunday.

The princess will then travel to Brisbane to lay a wreath, acknowledging Armistice Day, at the Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane to commemorate the Centenary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.

Her military engagements are marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, of which the Princess is colonel-in-chief

Princess Anne has held this role since 1977.

The Royal Australian Corps of Signals is a team of soldiers who are technical specialists providing communications, electronic warfare and cyber capabilities to support military operations.

“For a century, Army signallers have been at the heart of military operations – providing, protecting and evolving military communications,” the Australian Defence Force website entry states.

“Signallers have ensured commanders can make informed decisions and troops stay connected on operations. Signallers are also involved in cyber and electronic warfare operations in support of the Australian Defence Force.

“Their dedication, sacrifices, and resilience have been essential to our success and this milestone is an opportunity to reflect on their role in shaping our history and future.”

Around 107,000 personnel have served in the Corps since World War 1.

This tour will mark the third time Princess Anne has visited Australia in the 2020s.

In 2022, Princess Anne opened the Royal Easter Show in 2022 to mark its 150th year, hosting a garden party for charities and military patronages she supports.

A year later she visited the Royal Australian Corp of Transport, the Royal Botanic Gardens and NSW Mounted Police.

Her visit follows explosive developments in Buckingham Palace after King Charles formally revoked his brother Andrew’s style, title and honours, as the scandal over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continues to dominate the headlines.

The former Duke of York will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor after the King issued a letters patent under the Great Seal of the Realm to formally change the status of the former prince.

A week prior, a statement – released by Buckingham Palace – confirmed Andrew would no longer use the title of prince and would move out of the Royal Lodge.

“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the statement reads.

“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”

Andrew has had a longstanding relationship with Epstein, particularly through 1999 to 2008.

Prior to her death earlier this year, Virginia Giuffre famously alleged she was trafficked by Epstein to Mr Mountbatten Windsor as a teenager.

Andrew has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

In the US, Democratic members of the House Committee on Oversight have summoned Andrews to appear before them over ongoing investigations into Epstein, seeking further information and clarity over the controversial financier’s co-conspirators and enablers.