The sunshine and the crowds came out to greet HRH Princess Royal as she visited Great Yarmouth to help celebrate the borough’s 800^th charter anniversary.

The charter, granted by Kohn John in 1208, gave Great Yarmouth the right to be a free borough forever.

The Princess started her June 9 visit at St Nicholas Church. She spent time chatting to people who have been involved in organising events during the year.

Other groups included the St Nicholas Preservation Trust who care for the church. The Princess also had a few words with students from Great Yarmouth College who had prepared the food for a Medieval Banquet in May as part of the year-long charter celebrations.

On a tour of the church Canon Michael Woods showed the Princess the original charter, a plaque commemorating the life of Sarah Martin a prison visitor in the 1800s, and a porch erected as a memorial to North Sea oil workers killed in a helicopter crash in 2002.

She then unveiled a plaque in the church grounds carved by local stone mason Colin Smith who met and spoke to the Princess.

The Princess Royal then strolled through the market meeting residents, holiday makers and traders - some of latter had dressed in medieval costume as part of three day special event to celebrate the visit.

Gaining the charter gave Great Yarmouth the right to hold markets, which have been on the same site for 800 years.

One of the traders, Ros Cleland of Ros’s fruit and veg stall was presented to the Princess as winner of the best decorated stall.

“Her highness said that we had put a lot of work in,” said Ros. “And then asked where we get our fruit and veg from. She also made a quip about the chips on the market and said there were 600 varieties of potatoes in Peru.”

All along the route Princess Anne stopped to chat to people and accept flowers from well wishers in an unhurried stroll which allowed the thousands of people who had gathered in the market place and along the streets to get an excellent view of the royal party.

Sydney Allard-Watkinson the six-year old daughter of Special Occasions baby wear stall holders Jane and Craig took a couple of hours off school to give the Princess a bunch of yellow and orange flowers she had chosen herself.

Although excited about meeting the Princess she was a little disappointed that she wasn’t wearing a tiara.

During her walk to the Town Hall the Princess Royal stopped outside Palmers department store to be introduced to Bruce Sturrock who is Chairman of the Town Centre Partnership and Town Centre Manager Jonathon Newman.

On her arrival at the Town Hall Princess Anne was greeted by a Guard of Honour by the 901 Troop Marine Cadets, and stopped to congratulate their commanding officer Paul Dodson on their smartness and remarked that they were a credit to the town.

An hour's visit in the Town Hall saw the Princess Royal chat to Councillors, local authority employees, and local organisations including the Mission to Seafarers, youth organisations, volunteer groups, charities, local business people and members of the emergency services.

Her departure was marked by a presentation by the Mayor Terry Easter of a commemorative plate made by local potter Ernie Childs of Great Yarmouth Potteries.

“The Princess Royal’s visit has been one of the highlights of the 800-year celebrations,” said Councillor Barry Coleman, Leader of the Council.

“On her visit she has talked with many of the thousands of visitors and residents who lined the streets to cheer her.

“Her Royal Highness has shown great interest in the heritage of the town and had good knowledge of the history of the Town Hall.

”She was also interested in the relationship between bailiffs and mayors over the centuries.”

For further information contact Mayoral and Civic Events Organiser Laura Goodman on 01493 846125 or email lauragoodman@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.