Princess Anne begins her official visit to Hong Kong in 1971 – from the SCMP archive

In 1971, the Princess Anne kicked off her official visit to Hong Kong, arriving on October 26 amidst a warm reception from the locals. The visit commenced with a flight from Bangkok, where Princess Anne spent a night before her journey to Hong Kong. She opted against a royal flight and instead traveled on a RAF VC-10, a decision described as a "hitched ride" by an official.

The Princess was met by the Acting Governor, Sir Hugh Norman-Walker, who was accompanied by other officials and community leaders. Upon landing, the Princess was greeted with a 21-gun salute from HMS Tamar, HMS Eagle, and the 14th/20th King's Hussars. The Princess expressed fascination with the harbor and the unique welcome she received, noting the presence of sampans, junks, and various crafts lining the waters.

As the launch, Lady Maurine, crossed the harbor, she observed a Russian ship being repaired and passed a traditional junk adorned with sails. Sir Hugh explained the construction of the cross-harbour tunnel, a barge named after the Severn River in England. The Princess was accompanied by the Commander British Forces, Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Ward, as they proceeded to the pier.

The arrival was marked by cheers from spectators lining the pier, with some clapping and others showing reserved expressions. The car carrying the Princess and her party entered Murray Road, where the Princess waved to the crowd lining the streets. While crowds were appreciative, they were not overly enthusiastic. Upon reaching Government House, the Princess waved to children and families of British forces before dining with the Acting Governor.