50 GOLDEN YEARS OF ROYAL PATRONAGE

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the momentous visit to Jersey Zoo of HRH The Princess Anne, now The Princess Royal, which ultimately led to her becoming Patron of the Trust.

Over the last 50 years, she has visited the zoo and the Trust’s outposts around the world dozens of times, as well as attended numerous events arranged by the Trust in London. She has opened many of our new exhibits and facilities, energised our staff, students and supporters and celebrated noteworthy anniversaries. At every point, she eloquently expressed her faith in the vision of Gerald Durrell and confidence in the work of all the people who are carrying on the Trust’s mission to save species from extinction.

The contribution of The Princess Royal to the success of our endeavours and, indeed, to the well-being of the Trust has been of vital importance to us. We are profoundly proud of it and deeply grateful to her. We look forward to many more years of her patronage.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Princess Anne’s first visit to Jersey Zoo, 1972. Durrell’s 25th anniversary celebration at Hotel de France, 1984. Installing a time capsule at the Princess Royal Pavillion, 1988. The opening of the reptile house,1972.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT HRH speaking with Durrell staff, Brazil,1987. Meeting staff in Mauritius, 2010. HRH and then Head of Birds David Jeggo, 2003. Official opening of the Butterfly House at Jersey Zoo, 2021. At the pochard breeding centre, Madagascar, 2017. WIth Lee Durrell at the Durrell Lecture, London, 2017.