The Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne carried out a rare royal joint engagement on Tuesday as they hosted veterans of the Korean War at a reception at Buckingham Palace, on behalf of King Charles.
Sophie, 59, and Anne, 73, were on hand to welcome representatives from the Korean embassy, the Ministry of Defence, and the Royal British Legion, before mingling with some 200 war veterans in the palace's Bow Room.
© GettyThe Duchess looked typically stylish in a silk patterned shift dress, while Anne was equally elegant in a turquoise number.
At the reception, The Princess Royal delivered a speech on behalf of her brother, who is undergoing treatment for cancer and has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing engagements for the foreseeable.
© GettyHowever, before the reception, the King did have a small private audience with four veterans - Alan Guy, Mike Mogridge, Brian Parritt, and Ron Yardley - in the palace's 18th Century Room and was pictured in good spirits meeting them.
© GettyReading aloud King Charles' message, Anne began: "It has been a personal ambition of mine to invite you all, in some form, to Buckingham Palace to recognise this significant milestone and ensure you are all most deservingly honoured for your valiant service over seventy years ago.
To watch the full video of Anne's speech, click here
"You might therefore imagine how particularly disappointed and frustrated I am to not be able to join you all in person...
"I can only hope that you are being well looked after in my absence and I am most grateful to the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Edinburgh for standing in for me."
She continued to honour the veterans and remember what was once dubbed the "Forgotten War", saying, in part: "Thanks to those of you present, and those you fought alongside, the free peoples of the Republic of Korea continue to experience democratic liberty and have proudly preserved peace ever since...
© Getty"In a world where freedoms are continually being challenged and our values scrutinised, your selfless courage and steadfast pursuit of peace are guiding principles which have not been forgotten and continue to inspire generations to come. We salute all those who remain among us, and offer our most heartfelt and undying gratitude for those who have gone before. Your service and your sacrifice will echo through the ages."
During the event Anne worked the room, meeting veterans and shaking hands with her guests, while Sophie was also pictured happily posing for photos and at one point was deep in conversation with veteran Roger Baker, who showed her images of him serving with the Royal Norfolk regiment during the conflict.
© GettyLast July marked 70 years since the armistice was signed in 1953, which brought the Korean War to a close.
British and Commonwealth forces were deployed following a United Nations call to support South Korea after the invasion by its northern neighbour.
© GettyOf the around 60,000 members of the British Armed Forces who served, more than 1,100 were killed and 2,500 were wounded, according to the National Army Museum.
The anniversary of the end of the Korean War was also acknowledged last November during the Korean State Visit, when the Duke of Gloucester accompanied the President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea as they laid a wreath at the Korean War Memorial in London.
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