WHAT a wonderful coup for Ilkley Grammar School to attract a visit from Princess Royal to help it commemorate its 400th anniversary.

Despite the criticisms levelled at Buckingham Palace and the constant agitation from republican circles, it is still a remarkable occasion when a member of the royal family comes to town, creating a lot of local interest.It gave locals a chance to celebrate our heritage as well as mark the amazing history of the town's senior educational establishment.

Known as the hardest working of the Queen's children, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, carries out the most engagements of any member of the Royal Family. Perhaps that explains the flying visit.

She is involved with more than 200 charities and organisations in an official capacity. The Princess Royal works extensively for the charity Save the Children, of which she has been president since 1970.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers was created on the initiative of the Princess Royal in 1991. Her work for the charity takes her all over the world, including many poverty stricken countries.

The former Olympic competitor is also a British representative on the International Olympic Committee as an administrator.

She provides a role model for the many children who are benefiting from a first class education at the school which has gone from strength to strength under the stewardship of the present head teacher Gillian James.

But the celebrations do not end now that the red carpet has been put away because the school intends to continue celebrating for the rest of the year. In those celebrations it will receive the full backing of the rest of the town which is justly proud of its achievements over the last 400 years.