Princess Anne had been due to visit the school for the blind in Uganda where 11 children died after a fire ripped through a dormitory.
Police are currently investigating the cause of the blaze that devastated the Salama School for the Blind in Mukono, east of the capital Kampala, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The school had been preparing for Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence to visit on Friday as the pair are currently on a four-day visit to the African nation. It is now believed they will pay their respects to those affected by the fire and also meet representatives from the deafblind charity Sense International.
In a statement Anne said: "I was shocked to hear of the tragic loss of life. "The work of Sense International across many countries is hugely appreciated, working with such a vulnerable group of children.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and staff.
After the fire, devastated family members gathered outside the school and were seen weeping. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
The country's education minister Joyce Kaduchu visited the school to speak to parents. She announced that DNA tests must be carried out on the children's bodies in order to identify them.
"All of us are really heartbroken," she said.
"Our education system gives everyone an opportunity, regardless of what physical challenges one has. We have lost 11 children under very unfortunate circumstances."
The Ugandan Police Force said on Twitter that half a dozen girls are fighting for their lives in hospital.
It wrote: "The cause of the fire is currently unknown but so far 11 deaths as a result of the fire have been confirmed while six are in critical condition and admitted."
Jennifer Nassozi paid tribute to her daughter Nassali, who died in the tragedy.
"Nassali was doing very well in school. She was such a jolly girl," she told the BBC.
Anne's tour to Uganda started on Tuesday and so far she has visited the Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Ugandan Research Unit.
Later that day, she met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at the British High Commissioner's residence in Kampala.
The princess has also given a speech, where she praised Uganda's refugee policy and visited a refugee settlement.
In addition, she also opened a branch of Opportunity Bank in Nakivale refugee settlement, which is the first of its kind.
The bank is described as helping to "boost financial literacy, encourage a savings culture, and improve livelihoods".
