Princess Anne to visit St. John's to mark July 1 entombing of unknown soldier
Anne last visited province to mark centennial of Beaumont-Hamel
The Newfoundland and Labrador government said Thursday Princess Anne will visit the province to mark the centennial of the National War Memorial and the entombing of an unknown soldier who died in the First World War.
The solemn ceremony will take place July 1, which is observed as Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Canada Day.
Premier Andrew Furey called the visit part of a historic moment for the province.
"Her Royal Highness's presence will be especially symbolic as we gather to pay tribute to an unknown First World War soldier from this province…Soldiers from our province fought so bravely in the storied battlefields of the First World War that their Regiment earned the honour of 'Royal' in its name," Furey said in a statement.
"Together, we will remember the strength of those Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served, fought, and died in all branches of the military and respective support services, especially those who have no known grave."
She will arrive in St. John's on June 30.
Anne's last visit to Newfoundland and Labrador came in 2016 to mark the 100th anniversary of the battle of Beaumont-Hamel.
The body of the unknown soldier will lie in state at Confederation Building from June 28-30 before reaching the tomb at the newly renovated National War Memorial on Water Street.
The Department of Municipal and Provincial also announced Thursday that a grant is now available for communities to purchase a memorial wreath to mark the unknown soldier. Grant funding is available until July 12.
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