Princess Royal Welcomed to Merchants' Hall

The Princess Royal visited the Merchants' Hall in Clifton on 31 October, her first visit to the Hall since accepting honorary membership of the Society of Merchant Venturers earlier this year.

The Princess Royal is the tenth Member of the Royal Family to receive honorary membership, since a Royal Charter was granted to the Society from Edward VI in 1552. Previous members of the Royal Family to accept the honour include The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Edinburgh.

David Marsh, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers, said: "The Society presented The Princess Royal with the freedom of the Society in April and it is a great honour to now welcome Her Royal Highness to Merchants' Hall.

"Over the years, the Society has forged a number of Royal connections. The Princess is a particularly fitting recipient of honorary membership – Her Royal Highness's values and extensive charity commitments are in keeping with the Merchants' key objectives to enhance the quality of life for all. Indeed we were honoured by her presence last year when she officially opened one of our schools, Merchants' Academy in Withywood"

The first Member of the Royal Family to accept honorary membership was Prince Frederick of Wales in 1738. Prince Frederick was the first of four Princes of Wales to accept the honour, followed by Prince George in 1807, Prince Edward in 1921 and Prince Charles in 1973.

The Duke of York was presented with honorary membership in 1762, while The Duke of Cumberland received the honour in 1803. The Duke of Cambridge was presented with the freedom of the Society in 1842, closely followed by Prince Albert in 1843. The Duke of Edinburgh accepted honorary membership in 1953, visiting the Hall in 2002 in recognition of the Society's 450th year.