Princess Anne opens new memorial garden to commemorate soldiers killed in Battle of the Atlantic

Princess Anne made a solemn impression as she opened a new war memorial garden in Liverpool today.

The Princess Royal, 72, was joined this afternoon by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, 68, for the poignant engagement.

Just over 78 years ago, the Battle of the Atlantic came to an end after nearly six years.

The military campaign was the longest running battle of World War II, claiming the lives of 65,000 sailors from September 1939 to May 1945.

The opening of the Garden of Reflection in the grounds of the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas is the first of several commemorative events taking place in Liverpool this weekend.

For the occasion, Princess Anne opted for a navy blue silk blazer over a knee-length white dress with a pleated skirt.

The royal family swept her hair in her signature updo and wore dangling pearl earrings with a matching necklace.

To complete her elegant ensemble, Anne wore a pair of simple black leather pumps, a pair of navy blue gloves and carried a black leather handbag.

Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Laurence looked good in a gray suit with his full military medals displayed.

The Princess’ consort also wore his Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order – which he received from the Queen in 2011 – on the pocket of his costume.

The royal couple were pictured greeting the Rector Dr Crispin Pailing as they arrived at the ceremony before being taken on a tour of the memorial.

During the engagement, Princess Anne also gave a poignant speech – emphasizing the importance of the story of the military campaign being ‘well told’.

Liverpool played a central role in the Battle of the Atlantic as the Western Approaches Command Center was based here from 1942.

Pictured: Princess Anne pictured arrives at the memorial garden with Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and Rector Dr Crispin Pailing

The royal couple pose for a photo with Rector Dr Crispin Pailing outside the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw- en Sint-Niklaaskerk

Pictured: Princess Anne admiring the new Battle of the Atlantic Memorial Garden in Liverpool today

According to one historian, the Allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic was “fundamental” to the outcome of World War II.

Jonathan Dimbleby, who wrote Battle of the Atlantic: How the Allies Won the War, spoke of the importance of the battle to HistoryExtra: “It was fundamental.

‘The Atlantic Ocean was the route by which all the resources came to Britain, without which the country would have collapsed.

“Had we lost the battle, we wouldn’t have had enough guns—nor the industrial capability to make weapons—and American troops wouldn’t have been able to cross D-Day. In fact, there would have been no D-Day.

Winston Churchill described the Battle of the Atlantic as “the dominant factor throughout the war” as control of the Atlantic shipping lanes was central to Britain’s war effort.

The Princess Royal speaks at the opening of a new National Monument and Garden of Reflection for the Battle of the Atlantic

Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram (centre right) attends the opening of the National Monument today

Vice Admiral Laurence looked good in a gray suit with his full military medals and his Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order on display

Germany’s naval blockade began the day after the declaration of war in September 1939 and did not officially end until VE Day in May 1945, after 35,000 Allied troops had died in battle.

It saw the Royal Navy and the RAF, allied with US forces, battle against German U-boats and the Luftwaffe for supplies and materials to reach Britain.

The fighting peaked in the spring of 1943, when the Allies gained the upper hand thanks to new technology such as radar and longer-range aircraft.