Royal Visit to British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station, Antarctica
Issued on 15 January 2007
As part of a fact-finding trip to British Antarctic Territory HRH the Princess Royal visited British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station.
During the two-day visit she had an opportunity to see first-hand the world-leading research carried out by British scientists living and working in Antarctica. BAS Director, Professor Chris Rapley CBE, introduce d the Princess to around 100 science and support staff as well as briefing her on the importance of Antarctica’s role in global environmental issues such as climate change and ozone depletion.
The Royal visit took place on the eve of International Polar Year (2007-08) – 50 years on from International Geophysical Year (1957-58) when, her father, the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Antarctic Peninsula.
HRH then, in her capacity as Patron of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, joined the Royal Navy’s ice patrol vessel HMS Endurance to visit a number of the historic British sites in the Antarctic Peninsula area to inspect conservation work being undertaken by the Trust.
Note: The visit was being organised by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Polar Regions Unit.