THE Princess Royal paid two visits to Craven this week.

First she opened the Mission to Seafarers' Shop in Craven Court, Skipton, on Tuesday, and then visited Giggleswick School yesterday (Thursday)

A crowd of around 200 people gathered in Skipton to watch the Princess arrive, clapping as she walked through the shopping centre, accompanied by the Mission's northern regional director, Lt Cdr Adrian Mack.

The Princess Royal is president of the charity and spent an hour in the shop and office, which is run by Lt Cdr Mack, and his wife Marie.

In a speech, Her Royal Highness said: "It is always a pleasure to come to Skipton, but this (opening the centre) is an added bonus," she added.

One of the youngest members of the crowd was two-year-old Daisy Murray, accompanied by her sister Robyn and mum Jill from Lothersdale.

"We just adore the royal family, and couldn't miss the opportunity to see them in person. We were waving our flags and she turned and waved goodbye," said Mrs Murray.

Yesterday, six months after bad weather stopped Princess Anne's helicopter from landing at Giggleswick School, she returned to open its new Sharpe Library.

This time there were no problems as she visited the school chapel and toured the new facilities, which include IT classrooms, an internet caf and library.

She paid tribute to the education and facilities at Giggleswick.

She said: "

"The reputation of this school in terms of the preparation of people has always been good, but this (development) will add scope to make choices in the future."

There was an honour for 13-year-olds Isabel Marshall, of Bentham, and Spencer Moran, of Eldroth, the head boy and girl of Catteral Hall, who escorted the royal guest from the chapel to the main school.

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Spencer said: "It wasn't as nerve-wracking as I thought. She was a nice person, very normal and relaxed."

Headmaster Mr Boult later said: "She was wonderful. To have aborted a trip at the last minute in October, to be so determined to come back and see the chapel and the school was wonderful."