The sun shone on our hardest working royal during today’s whirlwind Shropshire visit, writes Royal Correspondent Shirley Tart.

After touring a specialist school near Shifnal, it was a sunglasses job for the Princess Royal as she walked across to a marquee where she was to unveil a plaque celebrating the New Options Higford School near Shifnal.

With her usual good value Princess Anne spent time talking to as many people as possible connected with the group autism services.

Mr Guy Olivier, centre director, thanked the Princess “for taking the time to visit us”.

Mr Olivier added: “Our aim is to foster the potential of our students and extend their options for adult life.” 

After unveiling a commemorative brass plaque set into a wooden panel, the princess flew off towards her Aga-Rayburn factory date with the Lord Lieutenant leaving an appreciative and cheering crowd behind.  

The smart maroon helicopter landed at TCAT in Telford minutes later from where the royal cavalcade took the short drive to the Aga factory in Ketley, Telford.

Princess Anne was greeted by about 50 employees and a host of dignitaries while eight-year-old Abby Hudson, daughter of logistics manager Darryl Hudson, presented a bouquet to the royal visitor.

Flag-waving employees looked on as Shropshire’s regular royal visitor met Telford and Wrekin’s mayor Councillor Bob Groom and his wife Christine before Aga bosses whisked her away for a tour of the factory.

After her busy morning, the princess no doubt felt lunchtime hunger pangs at a mouth-watering cookery demonstration by Dawn Roads.

The visit ended with Her Royal Highness unveiling another plaque, this time marking her visit to Aga.

Before touring the school, the princess met parents, staff and local residents and was given posies by pupils Peter Dhonau, 11, and Divontae Riley, 10.