A ROYAL APPOINTMENT saw two Moray organisations receive the highest accolade available in the country for voluntary groups.
The Princess Royal returned to the region on a brief visit during which she visited the stables of the Moray Riding for the Disabled charity, helping them celebrate their 10th anniversary at their Cranloch base.
Princess Anne unveiled a plaque at the centre in her capacity as the president of Riding for the Disabled. During her visit she also presented awards to long-serving volunteers.
The visit to Cranloch came shortly after the Princess Royal had attended the Moray College UHI graduation ceremony in the Elgin Town Hall, where she delivered a speech to the newly qualified graduates.
Her visit was rounded off by a ceremony at the Eight Acres Hotel where the Princess presented the Queens Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service to the Elgin Rotary Club and Findhorn-based environmental charity Wild Things!
The Rotary Club award was accepted by current president Donald Miller and past president Carol Stewart. As recipients of the awards both groups are now entitled to display its emblem on letterheads and other public material.
Throughout her visit the Princess Royal was escorted by the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Grenville Johnston, who said: “It was wonderful we had the pleasure of welcoming Her Royal Highness to Moray. The weather was great and wherever you went there were lots of people enjoying themselves.”