Princess Anne visits Malvinas ahead of Argentina’s sovereignty claim hearing

Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, arrived in the Malvinas Islands on Monday to begin an 11-day visit, accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. 

The trip comes during a crucial week in the dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom, as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) prepares to hear arguments from both countries over hydrocarbon exploration in the area.

According to Buckingham Palace, the princess’s itinerary is part of her role as patron of the South Georgia Heritage Trust, an organization dedicated to protecting the historical and environmental heritage of South Georgia.

During her stay, Anne is scheduled to meet members of the island community and visit Cape Pembroke Lighthouse, Tussac House, and the recently inaugurated National Sports Complex. She will also attend a reception at Government House and tour the facilities of the British military base at Mount Pleasant.

Her itinerary also includes a tribute at the memorial to British personnel killed during the 1982 war between Argentina and the U.K. This is the princess’s second visit to the archipelago, following her trip to the islands in 2022, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the conflict and mark Port Stanley’s city status.

The visit and the hearing The visit coincides with ITLOS hearings scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, and Wednesday, November 11, in Hamburg, Germany. 

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will examine Argentina’s request for provisional measures to halt activities related to the Sea Lion oil project, located north of the islands.

The project is being developed by Navitas Petroleum and Rockhopper Exploration. Argentina maintains that the exploitation of these resources infringes on its sovereign rights over the continental shelf and challenges the authorizations granted unilaterally by the United Kingdom. London, meanwhile, defends the project’s legality and rejects Argentina’s arguments.

In a social media post, the Royal Family described Anne as having “earned a reputation as one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family, known for her demanding schedule, straightforward approach, and dedication to charitable causes.”

The post added that “this latest journey carries particular significance, as the islands remain closely tied to Britain’s military history and national identity.” 

The statement also highlighted her approach to royal duties.

“Unlike high-profile royal appearances often associated with cameras and elaborate ceremonies, Princess Anne’s public image has been shaped by decades of hands-on engagements and unwavering dedication. At 76, she continues to demonstrate an extraordinary sense of duty, showing that royal service is about far more than titles or public attention.”

Editorial disclaimer: Although the UK refers to the territory as the “Falkland Islands,” Argentina strongly contests this name. The Buenos Aires Herald uses “Malvinas” to refer to the islands.