First royal visit to peninsula for Liberation Day

The Princess Royal landed in Little Sark during her visit

Residents in Little Sark have been enjoying their first royal visit as part of Liberation Day celebrations.

The Princess Royal arrived on the peninsula on 10 May to mark 80 years since the island was liberated from Nazi occupation during World War Two.

During her visit she walked along The Avenue on Sark and listened to children from the island sing a song in Sercquaise.

The Seigneur of Sark, Christopher Beaumont, said: "I'm sure she will be blown away by the beauty of the island."

The princess became the first royal to visit Little Sark

The princess crossed La Coupée to Big Sark at about 11:00 BST.

La Coupée is a distinctive narrow strip of land, connecting Little Sark with the main island.

Princess Anne then walked down The Avenue while flags were raised at Sark Art Gallery and spoke to islanders who had been liberated from German occupation.

There was an opportunity to meet Chelsea Pensioners and Gurkhas at The Avenue and a street party after the unveiling of the plaque with performances, events and games.

The princess toured the Cider Barn, one of the oldest buildings on the island, and was driven to lunch by horse and carriage.

The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, travelled by horse and carriage during the visit

Philip Perree said his grandfather drove the horse and carriage for the late Queen Elizabeth II "many years ago" and he described it as "quite an honour" to now do the same for the Princess Royal in Little Sark.

In the afternoon the princess planted a tree to mark Sark's liberation.

Princess Anne was then presented with a bunch of flowers from five-year-old Paisley, who said she "loved meeting a real princess".

The princess has been presented with gifts during her tour of the island

The princess had been due to unveil a plaque to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, but she ran out of time.

The plaque was unveiled by islanders who were liberated from the German Occupation.

Among them was 88-year-old Maisie Le Page, whose father featured in a photo on the plaque.

Mr Lanyon became a prisoner on Sark after the Germans discovered he had been distributing news.

Mrs Le Page said: "It is really lovely to see him greeting the first British soldiers to liberate Sark.

"It's a real privilege and honour to have him on the plaque."

Mrs Le Page's father had been a prisoner on Sark during the occupation

During her visit, Princess Anne received a briefing on two commando raids - Operations Hardtack and Basalt.

The princess left Sark at about 14:00.