Duchess to visit Alderney for 80th Homecoming

The Duchess of Edinburgh is set to visit Alderney to mark the 80th anniversary of Homecoming Day.

The duchess will join islanders to celebrate the return of evacuees after the end of World War Two on 15 December.

Lt Gen Sir Richard Cripwell, Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey, said Homecoming was "always a very special occasion" and he was sure the duchess "will enjoy meeting with Homecomers, hearing their stories and sharing in Alderney's special day".

Alderney celebrates Homecoming when the first families who were evacuated in 1940 arrived home some seven months after the island's liberation.

Gen Cripwell said: "I am delighted that Her Royal Highness will visit Alderney for what will be a significant anniversary for the bailiwick."

The duchess also visited Alderney in July 2009 and May 2022.

Further details of the visit will be announced soon, said the lieutenant-governor.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].