Princess Anne visits Corner Brook ahead of 100 year anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel

A sculpture of the Danger Tree was unveiled in Corner Brook Wednesday morning,dedicated by Princess Anne to mark 100 years since the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel.

• Princess Anne's tour to focus on Beaumont-Hamel, community events

Princess Anne, who is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Premier Dwight Ball and Minister of Advanced Education and SkillsGerry Byrnewere on hand for the unveiling.

"It's incrediblyexciting. As anartist to create a piece of work, and then to have it unveiled by royalty, that's a huge honour, it doesn't happen everyday," said sculptor MorganMacDonald, who also attended the ceremony.

MacDonald's bronze artworkdepicts the treewhere many members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment fell during the battle on July 1, 1916, gunned down by enemy fire.

The tree was visible for German soldiers and became a particularly deadly spot for the regiment MacDonald said as many as 80 soldiers died there.

"When you visit that site, it's a very moving and powerful experience to stand on that spot,"MacDonaldtold CBC Radio'sThe Corner Brook Morning Show.

• Danger Tree statue commemoratesBeaumont-Hamelanniversary

The ceremonyonthe grounds of the Forest Centre on University Drive included several veterans.

New colours forRoyal Newfoundland Regiment

After the Danger Tree ceremony, Princess Anne went inside Memorial University's Grenfell Campus to presentnew colours to the 2nd battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at the changing of the colours ceremony.

The flags are considered treasured and respected symbols,and bear the regiment's history.

It was the first time this type of ceremony has happened in33 years.

Corner Brook is the first stop Princess Anne madeduring her visit to Newfoundland and Labrador. See a full list here.