Princess Anne salutes spirit of unity at Edinburgh Military Tattoo preview

Princess Anne stepped out in Edinburgh this week to lend her royal support to the cast and crew of the 2025 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the occasion was as stirring as ever.

Known for her tireless dedication to the armed forces, The Princess Royal met with performers ahead of the iconic show's opening at Edinburgh Castle. 

Among those she greeted were members of a Ukrainian naval band—taking part for the first time since the outbreak of war in their homeland. Their powerful presence added an emotional and historic layer to this year’s line-up.

The Tattoo officially kicks off later this week and will run throughout August, drawing thousands to the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle for what’s set to be another unforgettable spectacle of global unity and pageantry.

This year marks a milestone for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, as it welcomes its first new creative director in over a decade. 

Stepping into the role is Adam Lane, a seasoned theatre director and a reservist with the Royal Engineers, bringing both artistic flair and military insight to the iconic spectacle.

Now in its 75th year, the Tattoo is embracing the theme "The Heroes Who Made Us", with each night dedicated to honouring a different inspirational figure. 

Lane praised the long-standing production team, telling PA, "The team here are fantastic they’ve been making shows for decades, so I’m very confident they’ll do a great job."

"International acts have always been an important component of the show and this year’s no different."

He added, "I'm absolutely delighted to welcome our brothers and sisters from Ukraine."