She spent time talking with the pupils, representing all three services — Princess Anne spent time talking to the cadets at the school, who were representing all three services (Picture: BFBS)

Royals

Royal seal of approval for cadets as Princess Anne inspects pupils at Bedford School

Pupils and staff at Bedford School welcomed Anne, Princess Royal, during a visit to the historic site.

Princess Anne inspected the school's Combined Cadet Force, which has been in Bedford since 1552 and on its present site since the end of the 19th century.

She spent time talking to pupils, representing all three services, as they were formed up on the school's playing fields, in front of the grand main building.

"It was a really good honour to have met her today," Cadet Oscar said.

"It means a lot to the section to have someone that important visiting us," Cadet Mitali said.

After the inspection, which was last presided over by royalty when the Duke of Gloucester visited seven years ago, Princess Anne watched the cadets march past.

In private, the Princess Royal unveiled a new panel of names of Bedford School pupils who were killed during the Great War, and whose connection to the school was recently uncovered.