A 100-year-old veteran told the Princess Royal “she’s got to slow down” when he spoke to her about his military service at a garden party.
Second World War veteran Robert (Bob) Piper was one of the first veterans to greet Anne at The Not Forgotten association’s annual garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
Anne, who has a reputation of being one of the hardest-working royals, joked with the veteran as she greeted people from the charity, which provides recreation and support for ex-servicemen and women.
Mr Piper, who is a D-Day veteran, told the Press Association: “I said to her, you know, she’s got to slow down.
“She’s done it so many years and she is a pro, she knows all the answers before you do.”
The Princess Royal, who is patron of The Not Forgotten association, first appeared on the palace’s West Terrace steps joined by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
As she spoke to veterans on the grass, guests told the princess “you brought the sun” to which she laughed and replied that is “never anything to do with me, I promise”.
Despite overcast skies, ice cream was served on silver trays and more than 2,000 guests gathered in high spirits to enjoy the party, with service dogs also joining in the celebrations.
As the rain started, Anne swiftly brought out a green umbrella with a duck handle which matched her green hat and dress.
Mickey Turner, who rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, briefly chatted to Anne about his tough challenge.
Mr Turner told the Press Association: “What I said to her royal highness is it was about raising the profile of mental and physical health, which is something I am really passionate about.
“There is a lot of people here today that are on that journey as well.”
Mr Turner said of rowing on the challenge: “We had food for 50 days and we were on the ocean for 59 days.
“We got pinned in a storm about 15 days in and at one point if we hadn’t have kept rowing we would have gone backwards.
“It became a battle of survival … It was the most beautiful thing I have done but the most scary as well.
Mr Turner, who previously served with the Royal Marines, has also canoed from Leeds to Liverpool to raise funds for The Not Forgotten association.
Other guests in attendance included veteran Jean Farguson, 99, who spoke to the princess about what it is “like to be at this age”.
Ms Farguson told the Press Association: “I’m very lucky, much healthier than all of my friends.”
Speaking about being at the palace, she added: “It is very exciting, seeing so many people and very interesting to come up to London today, don’t often do that nowadays.”
Silhouette statues and poppies from the Standing With Giants exhibition were dotted around the palace garden.
This year, the charity paid particular respect to the 15th anniversary of the end of the Iraq War on May 22, and the 60th anniversary of end of the Borneo Confrontation in 1966.
