THE Princess Royal paid a visit to Newport today to celebrate the centenary of a seafarers’ mission in the city.

She visited the Mission to Seafarers branch on Alexandra Docks in Pill and was met by city dignitaries, including Newport’s Mayor Matthew Evans and council leader Bob Bright.

She serves as the Mission’s president across the world. Each Mission looks to provide support to seafarers who are on visits in 260 ports around the world to make their stay as hospitable as possible. Of the one in Newport, it has been based at the Alexandra Docks for 65 years.

Children from Pillgwenlly and St Michael’s Primary School welcomed her as she arrived. Later Isaac George, 11, from Pillgwenlly Primary School presented the Princess with a bunch of flowers.

The Reverend Canon Ken Peters, who introduced three members of the Mission whose service was marked by the Princess, said: “She is always very interested. She speaks to everybody. She is interested in everybody’s story, genuinely. And the children brighten things up so much. So much of what seafarers miss is family life.”

Princess Anne was welcomed by Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets, Cadet Sergeant Craig Burchill, Cadet Corporal Zoe Ball, both from Caldicot, and Cadet Warrant Officer Owen Fry, from Caerleon.

While the Mission's chairman, Edward Watts, who has volunteered there for 50 years was celebrated, along with Gareth Trow, who has given 30 years’ service. Glyn Picton from its Pigeon Club who won the Mission to Seafarers Newport Challenge trophy was also awarded a prize.

The Princess last visited the mission in 1999 to mark a renovation. Before she left, she viewed the mission’s new kitchen and a mural last year unveiled by Cllr Evans.