Princess Anne and Sir Tim highlight women in STEM during Thai visit

The Princess Royal, accompanied by Sir Timothy Laurence, paid an official visit to Thailand, meeting with the King and Queen and highlighting women in STEM.

Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence visited Thailand last week, showcasing the close ties between the two countries, which share over 170 years of diplomatic relations. The couple also had the opportunity to convey condolences as Thailand is in a period of “double mourning” following the deaths of Queen Sirikit and Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

Anne and Tim kicked off their trip to Thailand by visiting Chumchonmoobanpattana School for a joint event hosted by Save the Children Thailand, the Liverpool Football Club Foundation, and the British Embassy Bangkok. At the school, the Princess Royal met around 60 children from across the Kingdom who face barriers to equal opportunities, including children from refugee and migrant backgrounds, and poorer communities in Bangkok.

Anne also visited a classroom, meeting local pupils, and observed Liverpool Football Club Foundation delivering a series of football coaching activities to promote inclusion and build confidence through sport. The Princess met Mr Emile Heskey, former Liverpool Football Club player, who officially launched the Liverpool Football International Academy Thailand last year.

After a change of attire, Anne and Tim visited Government House for a meeting with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. According to Government House, the Princess emphasised that encouraging more women to pursue STEM careers requires support from both families and teachers. The Prime Minister highlighted that education, critical thinking, and analytical skills are essential foundations for effective problem-solving and national development. Both sides also underscored the importance of strengthening health security and preparedness to cope with emerging diseases and epidemics. They also highlighted the need to enhance international cooperation in public health and medical research to tackle global health challenges better.

Following the meeting at Government House, the couple travelled to the Grand Palace. At the Palace, Anne and Tim first paid respects at the Royal Remains of the late Queen Sirikit in the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, where the late Queen Mother has been lying in state since her death last October. Anne and Tim then proceeded to the Piman Rattaya Throne Hall to pay respects at the Royal Remains of the late Princess Bajrakitiyabha. They laid a wreath of white flowers at each of the Royal Urns.

The Princess Royal and Sir Tim were then received by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida at Amphon Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace. Their Majesties hosted the couple for an audience which also included a small gift exchange.

On the second day in Thailand, Princess Anne visited Chulalongkorn University for an event which highlighted women in STEM. Before the ceremonies, Princess Anne held an audience with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn — Thailand’s Princess Royal. The two women, who are both among the most respected members of their respective families, exchanged warm greetings, including an impromptu curtsy from Sirindhorn. After the audience, Princess Anne proceeded to a ceremony where Her Royal Highness presented certificates recognising one Women in STEM Scholar and two Women in STEM Award recipients.

During a visit to the National Museum, Princess Anne had the opportunity to inspect the Royal Funeral Chariots, which are expected to be used later this year, as well as the original Bowring Treaty, which marked the beginning of diplomatic relations between the UK and Thailand and archive materials illustrating the history of the British Embassy in Bangkok. In the Prapas Phiphithaphan building, The Princess Royal viewed items presented by Queen Victoria to King Rama IV, including a collection of globes and a miniature train.

To conclude the official programme, Princess Anne and Sir Tim attended a gala performance at the National Theatre. Her Royal Highness met representatives from the Ministry of Culture and viewed a Thai craft exhibition before watching the performance. The performance included a string quartet playing a medley of Thai and UK compositions, an inaugural performance of the theatre play ‘The King’s Command’, written by His Majesty King Rama VI, and a music-and-dance performance by traditional Thai musicians. The Princess Royal then met the costumed performers at the conclusion of the performance.