THE MP for North Wiltshire hosted a special reception in Parliament to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War.

James Gray MP welcomed Princess Anne to the event, as well as Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the speakers of the Houses of Lords and Commons. 

Mr Gray, who is a longstanding member of the Honourable Artillery Company, in which he served as a private soldier for seven years, arranged the event in his role as Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Services.

He said: "It was a great privilege to be able to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Parliament last Tuesday to witness the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines ‘beating retreat’ in Speaker’s Court, followed by a reception in Mr Speaker’s State Apartments.

“It is right that we remember Britain’s great victory in the Falklands 40 years ago, removing the last invader of British Overseas Territory.”

Veterans of the conflict and representatives of the Falkland Islands Government also attended the event alongside MPs and Peers.

At the reception Princess Anne met Major General Julian Thompson, the former Royal Marines officer, who commanded 3 Commando Brigade during the conflict.

Two 105mm Light Guns that fired in action during the conflict in support of British ground troops were placed on either side of the front door to Speaker’s House.