PRAISED FOR HER SUPPORT OF CONSERVATION CHARITY THE PRINCESS ROYAL HOSTS AWARD WINNERS AT ST JAMES'S PALACE

'You have helped to transform the charity from something of a pipe dream'

-  EMILY NASH

As a devoted supporter, the Princess Royal was delighted to host the Whitley Fund for Nature’s 30th anniversary celebrations with a dinner at St James’s Palace.

The Princess, who has been the charity’s patron for nearly 25 years, welcomed winners of its prestigious Gold Award and supporters including TV presenter Kate Humble.

Founded by Edward Whitley in 1994, the fund has so far channelled £20m to more than 200 conservation leaders across 80 countries, a success Princess Anne praised in her speech.

“Part of this success – and it’s the thing that we perhaps ought to underline most – is the partnerships that have been created and how important that has been to work successfully and collectively across the world,” she said.