Princess Anne travels far from son's wedding venue

The Princess Royal officially launched a new ship to the Tall Ships Youth Trust charity's fleet in Portsmouth, according to a statement issued by by the royal family. 

The statement said, "Designed as a ‘floating classroom’, Challenger 5 will give even more young people the chance to develop new skills, build confidence, and realise their potential at sea."

It added, "During a visit to Portsmouth, HRH met staff, volunteers, and young people involved with Tall Ships Youth Trust, a youth development and outdoor learning charity, and toured the new vessel before it sets sail on its first adventures."

Princess Anne undertook the royal engagement just one day before her son Peter Phillips's marriage to Harriet Sperling.

Phillips and Harriet Sperling will exchange vows on Saturday, June 6th at All Saints Church in Kemble, Cirencester.

Both Peter Phillips, 48, and Harriet Sperling, 45, are divorced. Phillips has two daughters from his 13-year marriage to Autumn Phillips: Savannah, aged 14, and Isla, aged 13.

Sperling, who works as an NHS paediatric nurse, has a teenage daughter named Georgia from a previous relationship.