Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, arrived in Kingston to support fundraising efforts for The University of the West Indies (UWI). During her visit, she attended a banquet and met with dignitaries, including the governor-general and the mayor of Kingston and St Andrew. Her trip marks the official start of a major fundraising campaign, aiming to raise $100 million, including committees established throughout the CARICOM region, North America, and the United Kingdom. The Princess Royal's itinerary also included visits to local churches and social activities, highlighting her commitment to the cause.

Published Tuesday, October 18, 1990

Princess Royal arrives

HER Royal Highness, The Princess Royal (Princess Anne), arrived in Kingston yesterday on a three-day private visit to help raise funds for The University of the West Indies (UWI), from which she is an international patron.

She is here as a guest of the UWI’s Development and Endowment Fund.  Her visit marks the official start of a major fund-raising drive for which the local appeal committee has set a target of $100-million.  Other committees have been launched throughout the CARICOM region, as well as in North America and the United Kingdom.

The Princess Royal was met at the Norman Manley International Airport by Governor-General Sir Florizel Glasspole who travelled to and from the airport by helicopter in order to keep up with the Princess’ tight programme.

After landing at exactly 11.45 p.m., as scheduled, from Port-of-Spain, the princess briefly met the welcoming party at the airport, before being whisked away by motor car to The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, where she is staying.

There was a glittering $1,000-a-plate banquet in her honour last night at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel with the country's social elite and representatives of various companies and the university community.

All in a Royal day’s work

One hour after arriving at her hotel yesterday, the Princess Royal was at a freshly painted and redecorated King’s House for lunch with the governor-general and his family in the main dining room. She looked resplendent in a simple, white dress with embroidered sleeves, white gloves and shoes and with her hair swept back and braided in a roll pinned at the back.

Sir Florizel met the princess at the door to King’s House, then walked with her to the upstairs living room where he introduced Lady Glasspole, his daughter Sara Lou and her husband, Dr. Adolfo Mena, before sitting down to a private conversation and lunch.  She was accompanied by her lady-in waiting, Mrs. Richard Carew Pole, and her private secretary, Lt. Col. Peter Gibbs.

Later yesterday she visited Bethel Baptist Church, Hope Road, where she was introduced to several social activities taking place at the church.

She next visited the Wings Mission, Upper Ivy Road, Kingston, which she toured, she had brief conversations with the inmates before returning to The Pegasus for a banquet last night in her honour.

This morning she visits UWI’s Mona campus at 8:50 a.m. for a tour which will include The University Hospital, to be followed by visits to King’s House at 12:30 p.m. before she returns to Mona.

Also meeting her at the airport were British High Commissioner to Jamaica Derek Milton; Mayor of Kingston Councillor Marie Atkins; chancellor of The UWI, Sir Shridath Ramphal; the head of the Mona campus, Professor Leslie Robinson; Professor Gerald Lalor, pro-vice chancellor; and Louis Boothe, director general in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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