As part of her two-day tour of Suffolk, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visited the Felixstowe National Coastwatch Institution (NCI), of which she is a patron and 'committed and enthusiastic supporter'.

Princess Anne was received at the station at Old Fort Road by His Majesty's Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Mr Steven Fletcher, who presented NCI chairman Mr Clive Pouncey and NCI Felixstowe station manager Nick Barrett White.

East Anglian Daily Times: L-R: Nick Barrett White, Clive Pouncey, Robert Jones, Deputy Chief Constable of Suffolk, Deputy Lord Lt of Suffolk Stephen Fletcher. Credit: Richard Jackson & Steve Payne.L-R: Nick Barrett White, Clive Pouncey, Robert Jones, Deputy Chief Constable of Suffolk, Deputy Lord Lt of Suffolk Stephen Fletcher. Credit: Richard Jackson & Steve Payne. (Image: Richard Jackson & Steve Payne)

In 1996, the tower's lookout became the home of the volunteer watchkeepers of NCI Felixstowe who maintain a daylight watch on the coast and at sea, 365 days a year.

Mr Pouncey said: "Her Royal Highness is a committed and enthusiastic supporter of National Coastwatch.

"As a Royal Patron, she devotes much time to our cause and we are deeply grateful for her Patronage."

After a tour of the station, Princess Anne attended a reception for NCI Watchkeepers and guests at the Orwell Hotel.

East Anglian Daily Times: Meeting HRH the Princess Royal are Dave and Kath Whiting. Credit: Richard Jackson & Steve PayneMeeting HRH the Princess Royal are Dave and Kath Whiting. Credit: Richard Jackson & Steve Payne (Image: Richard Jackson & Steve Payne)

Here, she unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of the station and presented long service awards to Raoul Coppens-Browne, David Sharples and Chris Needs for five years' service and Peter Finch, Linda Lawrence, NCI head of operations and a posthumous award to Julian Milsom for 10 years' service.

On Tuesday, March 28, Princess Anne made a visit to Ipswich as she officially opened Suffolk's largest joint emergency services hub, the combined fire and police station on Princes Street.

After this, she travelled to the Waterfront to commission the boat Horace & Hannah at the Old Custom House on behalf of the Excelsior Trust.

East Anglian Daily Times: L-R Gerry Capon, John Fuller, veteran watchkeeper Keith Norgan, Kevin Bolt. Credit: Richard Jackson & Steve Payne.L-R Gerry Capon, John Fuller, veteran watchkeeper Keith Norgan, Kevin Bolt. Credit: Richard Jackson & Steve Payne. (Image: Richard Jackson & Steve Payne)

READ MORE: Princess Anne's last trip through Suffolk county in 2019

Today, the Princess Royal opened the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science's new Laboratory and Headquarters in Lowestoft.

She also made a visit to the Adnams brewery in Southwold as part of Adnams' 150th anniversary celebrations.