Princess Anne made a sombre appearance in Namibia for the funeral of the nation’s late President Hage Geingob.
The Princess Royal, 73, donned an all-black ensemble as she joined crowds of mourners in the capital, Windhoek.
She seemed downcast while honouring the life of the southwest African politician, who passed away earlier this month, at the age of 82.
President Geingob died while receiving medical treatment at hospital for cancer.
The presidency confirmed that he lost his life in hospital, with his wife, Monica, and children by his side.
Princess Anne made a sombre appearance in Namibia for the funeral of the nation’s late President Hage Geingob
He had been president since 2015 and was set to finish his second and final term in office this year.
Mr Geingob is thought to have been fond of Anne’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, and shared a heartwarming post when she passed away on September 8 in 2022.
‘I met #Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 on her visit to Namibia and I took her to Katutura,’ he wrote on X.
‘When I met her again in 1992, she recalled our exchange. In 2017, I paid Her Majesty a courtesy visit, she had the same sense of humor and indefatigable commitment to service. #RIPHM.’
Anne wore a long black coat and hat, along with a gold ribbon knot brooch, set with 12 diamonds – which has been in the royal’s jewellery collection for five decades.
The eye-catching piece features a snake-like loose ribbon design with lifted edges, with the diamonds taking centre stage – and it appears to be the choice of accessory for the Princess’s important occasions.
The Princess Royal was first seen wearing the brooch at Buckingham Palace in February 1969, before wearing it at Buckingham Palace in February 1969, to greet Colonel Frank Borman, the American astronaut who served as commander of the Apollo 8 mission.
It is not known how long Anne will be in Namibia, or how her future engagements for the week will be affected. MailOnline has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.
Crowds of citizens have gathered to pay their respects, waving the nation’s flags and holding up posters to commemorate the politician’s life.
The Princess Royal, 73, donned an all-black ensemble as she joined crowds of mourners in the capital, Windhoek
She seemed downcast while honouring the life of the southwest African politician, who passed away earlier this month, at the age of 82
Anne wore a long black coat and hat, along with a gold ribbon knot brooch, set with 12 diamonds – which has been in the royal’s jewellery collection for five decades.
President Geingob died while receiving medical treatment at hospital for cancer . The presidency confirmed that he lost his life in hospital, with his wife, Monica, and children by his side
Namibia, which is on the south-western coast of Africa, enjoys political and economic stability in a region ravaged by disputes, violent elections and coups. Pictured left to right: Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba, former First Lady Monica Kalondo, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia Sustjie Mbumba and founding president of The Republic of Namibia Sam Nujoma
Like many African leaders, he also forged a warm relationship with China, refuting claims that Beijing is aggressively asserting economic influence over countries in Africa as a form of colonialism
Military personnel carried Mr Geingob’s coffin, and Reverend Bishop Zakhias Cape was also seen during the procession at Heroes Acre, south of Windhoek
Crowds of citizens have gathered to pay their respects, waving the nation’s flags and holding up posters to commemorate the politician’s life
Also pictured at the event were his widow Monica Geingos, as well as Namibia’s interim President Nangolo Mbumba.
Military personnel carried Mr Geingob’s coffin, and Reverend Bishop Zakhias Cape was also seen during the procession at Heroes Acre, south of Windhoek.
Heads of state from other nations, including Germany and Ghana, were also present.
Mr Geingob was undergoing treatment for cancer before his passing. The 82-year-old had a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy on January 8, followed by a biopsy, his office said last month.
He participated in a two-day trial of ‘novel treatment for cancerous cells’ in the US last month, according to his office. In 2014, he said he had survived prostate cancer.
Vice-president Nangolo Mbumba has now been sworn in as acting president to complete the term for Mr Geingob, as allowed by the constitution.
Elections are set for November. A government statement said Mr Mbumba will lead Namibia until March 21 next year, when the election winner takes office.
Mr Geingob was the country’s third president since it gained independence in 1990, following more than a century of German and then apartheid South African rule.
Mr Geingob was undergoing treatment for cancer before his passing. The 82-year-old had a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy on January 8, followed by a biopsy, his office said last month
Vice-president Nangolo Mbumba has now been sworn in as acting president to complete the term for Mr Geingob, as allowed by the constitution
Mr Geingob was the country’s third president since it gained independence in 1990, following more than a century of German and then apartheid South African rule
After spending nearly three decades in exile in neighbouring Botswana and the US as an anti-apartheid activist, Mr Geingob returned to Namibia as its first prime minister from 1990 to 2002. He also served in the same capacity from 2008 to 2012
Soft-spoken but firm on advancing Africa’s agenda as an important stakeholder in world affairs, Mr Geingob maintained close relations with the US and other Western countries
Many world leaders also attended a memorial service for the politician yesterday. Pictured: Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa pictured arriving, accompanied by his wife Auxillia Mnangagwa (right) at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek yesterday
Kenyan President William Ruto pictured arriving at Independence Stadium for the memorial yesterday
After spending nearly three decades in exile in neighbouring Botswana and the US as an anti-apartheid activist, Mr Geingob returned to Namibia as its first prime minister from 1990 to 2002. He also served in the same capacity from 2008 to 2012.
Soft-spoken but firm on advancing Africa’s agenda as an important stakeholder in world affairs, Mr Geingob maintained close relations with the US and other Western countries.
But, like many African leaders, he also forged a warm relationship with China, refuting claims that Beijing is aggressively asserting economic influence over countries in Africa as a form of colonialism.
Namibia, which is on the south-western coast of Africa, enjoys political and economic stability in a region ravaged by disputes, violent elections and coups. However, the country’s opposition slammed Mr Geingob last year for endorsing disputed elections in Zimbabwe.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier looks on as he arrives at Heroes Acre for the funeral today
Heads of state from other nations, including Germany and Ghana, were also present, at the funeral
Pictured: The President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo arrives at Heroes Acre for today’s funeral of the politician
Condolences from various leaders around the world poured in on Sunday.
In a statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would ‘forever cherish’ his memories of meeting Mr Geingob.
‘It is difficult to overestimate his personal contribution to developing friendly relations between Namibia and Russia,’ the statement added.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa posted on X, saying Mr Geingob’s ‘leadership and resilience will be remembered’.
Cyril Ramaphosa, president of neighbouring South Africa and one of Namibia’s largest trading partners, described him as a ‘close partner in our democratic dispensation’ and ‘a towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid’.
Kenya’s Prime Minister William Ruto said Mr Geingob was a ‘distinguished leader who served the people of Namibia with focus and dedication’ and ‘strongly promoted the continent’s voice and visibility at the global arena’.
Namibia, a country of just over 2.5 million people, is rich in minerals such as diamonds, gold and uranium.
Despite being classified as an upper-middle-income country, socioeconomic inequalities are still widespread, according to the World Bank.
This post first appeared on Daily mail
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