Shropshire Star

Princess Alexandra visits Combat Stress in Newport

Everyone agreed it was a visit well worth waiting for. And royal favourite Princess Alexandra was both moved and impressed yesterday at Newport's Audley Court, a unique Combat Stress treatment centre for men and women from our military services who suffer mental and psychological damage.

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The trip was postponed earlier in the year because the princess was unwell.

But after an hour-long tour of the centre, she said to staff, guests and veterans: "Thank you all so much for asking me here today, it has been a great privilege. I am so very impressed by the warmth and kindness of you all."

She met some veterans privately who, in turn, talked of her own warmth and interest.

And one little ceremony became a family affair when an eight-year-old with a curtsy fit for a royal guest, presented a posy to Princess Alexandra, elegant from top to toe in royal purple.

As she took the flowers, the princess immediately went over and joined the enthusiastic group of staff and veterans, to meet Eleanor Thorp's family from Shrewsbury.

And suddenly sister Olivia, 12, dad Joe and mum Julie, who is a nurse at Audley Court, were also being warmly greeted by the royal visitor.

She drew a family chuckle and much sibling nudging when she asked the sisters if they got on.

And if Eleanor won the day with her smart curtsy, there was another wide royal smile when Olivia chipped in: "Well she's been rehearsing it for long enough."

It was that sort of happy day.

And none happier than Andy Hardwick who served in Northern Ireland with the 17th/21st Lancers when Princess Alexandra was colonel-in-chief.

It was amalgamated to create The Queen's Royal Lancers and she became deputy colonel-in-chief of the new regiment.

But Andy has fond memories of "their" regiment and had carefully painted the original badge and motto for a thrilled princess.

He told me that damage after Northern Ireland service and then a serious accident in Canada, had almost destroyed him.

"In 2008, I was living in a caravan like a tramp," he said. "With drink problems, a failed marriage and feeling I'd lost everything, there seemed no way back. But thanks to a new relationship and this place, I feel I'm getting there."

To people like Andy a visit like yesterday's is massive.

Princess Alexandra arrived in Newport from a first visit to the National Arboretum near Lichfield which she said was "incredibly moving" and was clearly also moved by the stories of men and women at Combat Stress struggling to get lives back on track.

But the visit also had its share of fun and smiles.

In the gym, she declined an invitation to try out the equipment but told facilities manager Paul Daniels and veterans who were using it, that she might have done in her younger days when she used to ski.

In thanking the princess for her support, Major General Peter Currie also paid tribute to "the wonderful support we have from Shropshire and for which we are hugely grateful."

A heartwarming day all round!

By Royal Correspondent Shirley Tart

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