Victorian Bushfires Memorial Service

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN
20 February 2009

The Princess Royal will visit areas affected by the Victorian Bushfires

The Princess Royal will undertake a series of engagements in Victoria after attending, and speaking, at the Victorian Bushfires Memorial Service in Melbourne this Sunday (22nd February), where she is representing The Queen.

Following the service, Her Royal Highness will visit the Incident Emergency Control Centre in East Melbourne, where she will tour the building and be briefed by Chief Fire Officer Ewan Waller.

She will then be guest of honour at a reception hosted by the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser AC, at Government House, where she will also speak briefly.

The following day The Princess will travel around the fire affected area of Wandong before returning to the UK.

The Queen sent a message of condolence to the people of Australia on 8th February, expressing her deep sympathy to the many who lost their lives and their homes in the disaster.

The Queen also made a personal donation to the Australian Red Cross Appeal last week. The Prince of Wales personally offered his condolences to the victims of the tragedy at a Reception for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the Book of Condolence at the Australian High Commission in London yesterday. It will be open to the public this weekend.