British princess to meet with Aquino in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Anne, the United Kingdom's Princess Royal is set to visit the Philippines next week to meet with President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay, and to support non-profit organizations.

The British Embassy in Manila said in a statement Thursday that the Princess Royal's trip is part of a series of high-level visits from the United Kingdom aiming to strengthen ties with Manila.

The Princess will also participate in a roundtable discussion with future entrepreneurs and attend a sporting reception. An expert horsewoman, she has ridden all her life and succeeded her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, as president of the International Equestrian Federation.

Princess Anne, who has dedicated her time to over 300 organizations, will also visit projects and beneficiaries of Save the Children in the Philippines, among which is an elementary school in Leyte.

A patron of the Opportunity International UK, she will also visit Tulay sa Pag-Unlad Inc. microfinance trust.

The Princess' visit to the country follows her first trip in March 1999.

She is the second child of and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II.