‘I met Princess Anne and this is what she’s really like in person’

A man who met on Thursday has revealed what the 74-year-old royal is really like away from the cameras.

Colin Clay, station manager for the NCI Shoreham, met the Princess Royal in Shoreham, West Sussex, when , a charity which she is patron for.

While , including a reception the princess was invited to, Colin also had the privilege of showing Her Royal Highness around the coastwatch station in a private part of the visit.

Speaking to afterwards, Colin revealed that the royal was actually very “down to earth” and interested in the station’s ongoings.

He said: “She is very down to earth, easy to talk to and puts you at ease. She is one really lovely, nice lady.”

Colin also accompanied Her Royal Highness at a reception afterwards at Shoreham Sailing Club, where Anne met volunteers for the NCI and other local organisations.

The princess spent around half an hour speaking to each volunteer present individually about their work, their lives and where abouts in the area they are based.

She was then invited to hand out long service awards to three of the volunteers, including 85-year-old ex carpenter Mike Hobbs, who has volunteered for the NCI for 15 years.

He told Express.co.uk that being awarded by Her Royal Highness was “a great honour”.

The NCI chairman Stephen Hand also told Express.co.uk how delighted he was that the princess visited the station on Thursday, praising her for her involvement in the charity.

He said: “She was absolutely brilliant. We are absolutely delighted to have her as our royal patron. She really does get involved.”

Mr Hand also said the princess had plenty of knowledge about the work of the NCI and was interested in the station’s work to keep people in the town safe.

The princess’ visit to the seaside town lasted just over an hour as the royal braced the wet and windy weather to attend the engagement.