Princess Anne visits Jersey – see pictures and video from her busy day in the Island

  • Princess Anne visits three Island organisations.
  • Watch a video of the Royal Helicopter arriving.
  • View our gallery of more than 30 photos of the Princess Royal’s visit.

THE Princess Royal was welcomed by Islanders yesterday as she paid a flying visit to open a new youth centre, meet Royal Air Force veterans and unveil a plaque at Durrell.

Arriving by helicopter at Grainville playing fields at just after 10.30 am, Princess Anne was met by brilliant sunshine and crowds of cheering schoolchildren.

After being greeted by the Bailiff, William Bailhache, the Lieutenant-Governor, General Sir John McColl, and Lady McColl, Chief Minister Ian Gorst and St Saviour Constable Sadie Rennard, she was whisked off to unveil a plaque at the St James’ Centre to mark the official opening of the Jersey Youth Service’s new headquarters.

The former church, which has been the subject of a £2.3 million refurbishment and now features recording studios, a radio station and a performance area, was packed with students from Les Quennevais School for the arrival of the royal guest.

Carmel Butel, senior youth worker at the Jersey Youth Service, who showed Princess Anne, along with the Constable of St Helier, Simon Crowcroft, Sir John and Lady McColl and Mr Bailhache, around the building, said: ‘Princess Anne wanted to hear from all the young people here and wanted to know what they have all been doing.

‘The new centre is amazing and it has huge potential for us to do so much more now.

‘We have so many talented young people here and it is great that they have got the opportunity now to rehearse and perform.’

Lucy Bevis (18), Jersey’s youth ambassador, who represents youngsters using the service, said: ‘It is a proud moment for the Jersey Youth Service.

‘The centre is a really welcoming and homely place.

‘It’s not every day that you get to meet a member of the Royal Family.’

After unveiling the plaque, Princess Anne was driven to the Hotel de France to meet members of the Royal Air Forces Association to mark the 90th anniversary of the organisation’s first meeting.

During her time at the hotel she signed the group’s visitors’ book and spoke to a number of members, many of whom had spent decades serving in the RAF.

Sam Weller, who turned 90 this year, said that he had ‘a charming experience’ speaking to the princess.

‘We had an interesting conversation about my time in the RAF and about what is going on at Durrell,’ he said.

‘She was really lovely to speak to and I enjoyed it very much.’

Cadet Nanneke Boxall (18), who has just received a scholarship from RAFA, also spoke to the Princess.

‘It was wonderful talking to her,’ she said. ‘I was quite scared at first but she put me at ease very quickly.

‘She was very interested in my future scholarship and was very keen to talk about it.’

After lunch, Princess Anne concluded her trip with a visit to Durrell Conversation Trust, which she visited on her last trip to the Island in November 2012.

Lee Durrell, widow of the Trust’s founder, Gerald Durrell, gave the Princess – who has been a patron of the trust for more than 40 years – a tour of the park before she unveiled a plaque at the old reptile house.

She left the Island by helicopter from the Royal Jersey Showground in Trinity just after 3 pm.

See pictures from Princess Anne’s previous visits to Jersey here

Young people at St James' CentreSmile! Amateur photographers capture the Princess Royal's visit to St James' CentreSmile! Amateur photographers capture the Princess Royal's visit to St James' CentreWith the RYFM Radio Crew Graham Colley, Analisa Pacheco and Sam Lange in the recording studio at St James' CentrePrincipal youth officer Mark Capern leads Princess Anne to St James' CentreYoungsters prepare to entertain the Princess Royal at St James' CentreYoung people at St James' CentrePrincess Anne takes in the impressive sights at the new Jersey Youth Centre at St James

Barry Freeman, principal architect for Jersey Property Holdings:

‘I think the new Jersey Youth Service building looks awesome and we have really enjoyed seeing the children using the Service. I am proud to have been a part of it, and Princess Anne has taken a great interest in what we have been doing.’

Samuel Walwyn (17), a musician who will use the facilities at the youth centre to rehearse:

‘There are now a lot more opportunities for young people here and we can make progress when we are playing. It has more of a university or college feel to it, and it is more professional, too.’

Mark Capern, Jersey’s Principal Youth Officer:

‘Our youth arts project has expanded considerably over the past 12 months and a diverse programme is now on offer. Also, the YES counselling project gets more space, and for the first time, the Youth Service has a central headquarters. This is an incredible building and will be a dynamic, inspiring base for our activities and events.’

Principal youth officer Mark Capern leads Princess Anne to St James' Centre

Flight- Lieutenant Leighton Jenkins, of the Royal Air Force Cadets:

‘It’s been fantastic. The Princess was very engaging and was really interested to hear that our cadets had been supported by the RAFA.’

Maureen St George (81), honorary welfare officer for the RAFA:

‘It was a wonderful celebration for the RAFA and the sun came out especially for her! I thought I would have been very nervous speaking to her, but she made you feel totally at ease.’

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