Princess Anne is not renowned for her cuddly side.
But she joined the rest of the nation in welcoming the latest addition to the Royal family.
It was the main thought on the minds of many of the people who flocked to the National Coal Mining Museum near Grange Moor yesterday to see the Royal visitor open the new underground tour.
She was asked by well wishers for her views on the birth of the Duchess of Cambridge’s baby boy.
With her well-known reputation for brusque delivery, she replied: “It’s nothing to do with me but it’s very good news,” and marched firmly on.
This was in marked contrast to the Prince of Wales, who on a visit to East Yorkshire yesterday, said he was “thrilled and very excited” about the birth of his yet-to-be-named, first grandchild.
Ruth Rothwell of Netherton, Wakefield, who was one of many people who had waited patiently in the rain to greet the Princess, said: “I wish she would interact more with the crowds.
“She could do a lot to boost her image with the public.”
Princess Anne spent around two hours at the complex, sited on the Huddersfield/Wakefield border and went underground to visit the displays and underground classroom that have been created as part of the new Go Mining! tour.
Her whistlestop visit marked the museum’s 25th anniversary year and was a welcome fillip for the museum which has endured a troubled time of late with reports that it was under threat from impending Government cuts.
Princess Anne met the museum ponies, Eric and Ernie and Finn, the Clydesdale horse, was shown the newly conserved Furnace Shaft and saw its impressive new glass top. During the minutely choreographed visit she was taken to a cage which took her down onto the underground tour.
Later, around 150 invited guests assembled for the official opening after which the Princess Royal was invited to sign a visitors’ book.
She was then presented with a bouquet by two children before being escorted to the Royal car.
Deputy director and mine manager, Willie McGranaghan, said he was delighted by how the visit had gone.
He said that although he had been aware of the Princess’s “haughty” reputation he had not found her like that at all.
“She was lovely, she was really nice and friendly and very interested in the museum.
“She asked a lot of questions, some of them very insightful, she has been down mines in the past and knows quite a bit about them. She thoroughly enjoyed her visit and asked how we were attempting to engage the children who visit so we told her about our new interactive experience.
“It was the first time I had met a Royal and she was a delight to have here, the visit was excellent.”
One of the visitors to the museum was David Duner, a 43-year-old Professor of the History of Science, from Lund in Sweden.
He said: “I’m working on a book about 18th century copper and iron mining so it seemed like a good idea to come today.
“It’s a coincidence that the Princess Royal is coming. It’s changed my plans, I was going to see the coal mining museum this morning.”
John and Leona Sellers from Netherton, Wakefield, said they were avid Royal watchers and were delighted to see her.
John, a retired man who now runs a wedding car business, said: “We had a glass of wine to celebrate the birth of the Royal baby last night and it’s been great to come here today and see Princess Anne.”
Selena Saville, from Mirfield, who visited with her friend Mel Benson, said: “We had arranged a day out to Blackpool but we knew the weather was not looking good and we heard the Princess Royal was going to be coming so we came here instead.”
They packed the entrance to the National Coal Mining Museum, all waiting to greet Her Royal Highness Princess Anne yesterday.
After all, she was a Royal visitor in this area just hours after a major royal event.
And the visitors were all eager to catch a glimpse of the Princess Royal after news of the family’s new-born addition on Monday, when the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a son.
Jayne Ambrose, 36, of Leeds, who works at the Museum: “A baby’s always a sense of a new beginning.
“It’s nice to have a good news story.”
Eloise Pamment, 12, from Shepley, a student: “I’m wondering about names. I heard about it at teatime. I think it’ll be James or George. Or maybe Arthur.”
David Duner, 43, came to the UK from Lund, Sweden: “I’m a tourist, we had a royal baby in Sweden not so long ago. It’s very exciting.”
Ruth Rothwell, from Netherton: “I’m very pleased for them, but I hope the press leave them alone.”
Claire Morrison, of Holmfirth: “I think there is too much coverage”.
