Princess Royal's visit to Harper Adams University a landmark for Shropshire
She is Shropshire's most frequent royal visitor. And next week the Princess Royal has a date that has huge significance for the county.
Harper Adams University has pulled off a coup by enlisting Princess Anne to become its first chancellor.
She will be at the university, just outside the village of Edgmond, on Friday, to be installed as its ceremonial figurehead.
It is an honour for Harper Adams and also a great boost to its profile as one of Britain's top establishments for agriculture, food and veterinary studies.
The Princess Royal's name is already on the university's bio-diversity project and last year she officially opened a new student accommodation block which was named after her.
Friday morning will involve guests being taken by bus to a church service of commitment followed by a reception back at Harper Adams.
The occasion represents an act of faith in the choice of chancellor, the ceremonial figurehead of the university. In that capacity, after her installation the Princess may take part in conferring degrees at graduations as well as acting in an ambassadorial capacity for the university, nationally and internationally.
She has been an Honorary Fellow of Harper Adams since 2006 and has visited the university on several occasions to formally open several areas including teaching accommodation and the Regional Food Academy. It was during her last visit a year ago that the Princess Royal Hall, a new residential block for students, was named in honour of Her Royal Highness.
Dr David Llewellyn, the university's vice-chancellor, said: "We are delighted the Princess Royal has accepted our invitation to continue her association with Harper Adams by becoming our first ever chancellor.
"She has been immensely supportive of our work during previous visits and news of her appointment has been warmly welcomed by our staff and students"
Roger Mercer, chairman of the university's board of governors, added: "This is a tremendous honour for the university. Her appointment will be of immense benefit to the entire university community and we look forward to welcoming the princess back to Harper Adams."
Plans for the special ceremony have been made in partnership with the community, including the university chaplaincy at St Peter's Church in Edgmond. After the service, the occasion will be marked with a gathering back at Harper Adams.
Princess Anne is often described as the hardest-working royal.
And it is clear that she has a real understanding of the issues surrounding the world of agriculture, a knowledge that will be of value in her new role as figurehead of Harper Adams University.
