Princess Anne had previously expressed a strong wish to attend the Oamaru commemorations, but following extensive discussions over past weeks, Scott 100 2013 steering committee co-ordinator Bruce Albiston said the princess, who is Patron of the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust, had "reluctantly concluded" that she could not leave the UK to attend the commemorations in February.
"Advice was received this week from the office of the Princess Royal, Patron of the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust, that very reluctantly she has had to decide that she cannot attend the Scott Terra Nova commemoration next year.
"This disappointing news was qualified by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne's strong support for the commemoration which will be evidenced by a special message that she is sending."
Mr Albiston added that the princess had also confirmed that United Kingdom Heritage Trust chairwoman Philippa Foster Back OBE would attend to represent the UK.
Despite the princess not coming, overseas participation had been confirmed and the Scott 100 programme, would still be an "internationally significant week for Oamaru and New Zealand", he said.
A four-day programme of events to commemorate the return of captain Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated expedition ship Terra Nova from the Antarctic will run from February 6 to February 10.
