Princess Anne received a warm welcome as she toured Medway Maritime Hospital.

A Strood schoolgirl presented Her Royal Highness with a posy and a big smile.

The Princess arrived at around 2pm this afternoon after touring Maidstone Hospital.

A blacked out vehicle drove her to the hospital in Windmill Road, Gillingham.

She wore a red double breasted jacket and a dark tartan skirt.

Princess Anne was met by the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Kent Richard Oldfield and the Mayor of Medway, Councillor Habib Tejan (Con).

She was there to visit staff working in the emergency department and maternity unit. She is patron of the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

The trust's chief James Devine greeted the midwifery patron and guided her into the reception area.

He said: “We were delighted and proud to welcome The Princess Royal to our hospital.

"It has been a fantastic 12 months for the Trust.

"Phase one of the development of our new £11.5million Emergency Department development was completed last year.

"Phase two is due to be completed shortly, and phase three will begin in April 2020.

“In March this year, our midwives won the coveted Midwifery Services of the Year at the Royal College of Midwives Awards.

"We have a lot to be proud of! "

Two plaques were unveiled to commemorate her visit.

Her Royal Highness was then presented with flowers by nine-year-old Freya Webb, who goes to Cedar Academy, Strood and is the granddaughter of one of the midwives.

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