The Princess Royal has paid tribute to the men and women of the Special Operations Executive, the forerunner to MI6. She joined veterans for a glittering gala dinner at London's Natural History Museum, part of which was used to train agents during the Second World War. Resplendent in a floor-length ivory gown, Anne, who has spent the last week criss-crossing the UK on behalf of her charities, was on cheerful form as she arrived. Royal salute: The Princess Royal paid tribute to the heroes of the Special Operations Executive last night It was held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the SOE, which sent agents into France and other occupied nations, among them Denmark and the Netherlands, during the war years.
@highlight
The Princess Royal joined veterans at the National History Museum
@highlight
Gala was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the SOE's wartime exploits
@highlight
The Special Operations Executive is the forerunner of MI6
@highlight
Sent operatives into occupied Europe in a bid to sabotage the Nazis
@highlight
Norwegian veterans at gala played a role in stopping a Nazi nuclear bomb
Important work: During World War II, hundreds of @placeholder agents were parachuted into occupied Europe