By Katy Gilzean

THE PRINCESS Royal was guest of honour on board Dundee’s HM Frigate Unicorn last night for a mess dinner marking the 200th anniversary of Admiral Lord Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

She was visiting for the first time as patron of the Unicorn Preservation Society. Her late grandmother, the Queen Mother, was the first patron.

The Princess Royal, accompanied by the Earl of Dalhousie and the Countess of Dalhousie, was greeted by Dundee Lord Provost John Letford. Commodore Angus Sandford acted as mess president for the evening, also attended by Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland, Rear Admiral Nick Harris. Commodore Sandford’s successor, Commodore Charles Stevenson, was also in attendance.

The earl said, “It was marvellous to have the Princess Royal agree to be our patron. Anything she is involved with she takes a great deal of interest in so we are very pleased she has taken over the role.

“I am pleased to see a good turnout of people here tonight from Dundee and Angus. Some of them have never been on board the Unicorn before.”

The lord provost said, “I am absolutely delighted that Her Royal Highness has once again come to Dundee. I am looking forward to talking with her.”

The evening began with a quayside reception for around 200 guests. The full band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland beat the retreat and performed the ceremony of Sunset.

The guests, made up of people from all three services, local political and business circles and a wide range of Unicorn supporters, dined on marbled terrine of Scottish salmon, roast sirloin of Angus beef skirlie, and caramelised lemon tart.

The Princess Royal made the main speech commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar, and proposed a toast to Admiral Nelson.

Today she will visit a Save the Children shop in Broughty Ferry and perform the opening ceremony at the new premises of Dundee Citizens’ Advice Bureau.