Royal visitor for Royal Anglian Regiment
The Countess of Wessex stopped by
Last updated 2nd May 2021
The Royal Anglian Regiment has welcomed a royal visitor.
Earlier this week, The Countess of Wessex stopped by to see soldiers get ready for their deployment to Mali next month, as part of the UK’s commitment to supporting UN peacekeeping missions around the world.
Sophie also watched troops rehearse different scenarios protecting civilians, with a focus on how the military can support the empowerment, and access to equal rights, for women and girls in Mali.
Lieutenant Colonel Will Meddings, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment who will lead the second deploying taskforce said:
“The first taskforce is already showing the positive impact the British Army can have. The Royal Anglian taskgroup will deliver even more - patrolling further, and for longer, than most other nations in Mali.
“This month we’ve proved we can operate for weeks in the field, and I’m proud to be bringing such a capable taskgroup to join the United Nations, building stability and helping protect civilians from violence.
“We are all proud to be wearing the blue beret of the United Nations, as generations of British soldiers have before - for example, I will be wearing the beret my father-in-law wore when he deployed to the Balkans with the UN.
“The young men and women of the taskgroup are absolutely looking forward to the challenges of the tour. Peacekeeping missions such as this require skills such as diplomacy, tact and mediation - skills they wouldn't ordinarily use in a warfighting role. So, for many this will be a new experience. It will be a challenge environment and it will be a hard six months. Mali is a dangerous country and the environment itself is tough, but I know our soldiers are well-trained, ready and committed to the UN mission.”
The Royal Anglian Regiment is a close knit family spirit from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire.