Princess visits Winchester

4:35pm Monday 21st January 2008

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THE Princess Royal was full of praise for the British Red Cross and the fledgling NHS when she paid a visit to Winchester in 1949.

Her Royal Highness, the Commander and Chief of the British Red Cross, was presenting the colours to the Hampshire society at the city's cathedral in April.

The service held was, in the Princess's own words, "marked by a spirit of corporal renewal and dedication".

The Princess first accepted the Red Cross colours from the dean, Dr EG Selwyn, and then the King's colours before presenting them to the uniformed nurses.

She said: "I present these colours to the Hampshire branch.

"May those who bear them, those who follow them and those who behold them ever be mindful of the high service of which they are a sign."

After the ceremony, the Princess called into the Abbey house and paid tribute to the war work of the YMCA before heading to Wolvesey House to have lunch with the bishop - Dr Mervyn Haigh.

Her final stop of the day was at Weeke Manor where Red Cross workers were presented to the Princess.

In her address to the parade she said: "I would like to remind you that your first duty is to the medical services of the crown in any emergency that may occur, whether it be an epidemic, a disaster or major calamity.

"You in Hampshire are doing much to make a success of the new National Health System."

She later presented 15 canteen workers with the order of the Red Triangle and expressed her appreciation for all the work they had done.