Eight year old Emily Berryman upheld a family tradition when she was chosen to present HRH Princess Alexandra with a posy of flowers at the official opening of Roseland Parc Retirement Village.

Emily's mum Lisa met the Princess when she was a little girl and her cattle-breeding family were presented with a winner's trophy at the Royal Cornwall Show.

Emily's great grandma is a resident of Roseland Nursing Home, part of Roseland Parc, Cornwall's unique age exclusive community in Tregony, near Truro.

"I was really excited about meeting the Princess," said Emily, a pupil at St Mewan school. "She asked if I'd had to wait very long and I said 'quite a long time'."

Princess Alexandra was greeted at Roseland Parc by cheering children from Tregony and Wadebridge primary schools.

Dressed in a green silk outfit, accessorised in cream, Princess Alexandra delighted the youngsters by stopping for a chat before meeting an official line up of civic dignitaries.

HRH was then presented to directors of Retirement Villages - developers and managers of Roseland Parc.

She was taken on a tour of the village by Retirement Villages' chief executive Jon Gooding and Roseland Parc founder Heather Fairbairn.

She was invited in to resident Mrs Cynthia Dening's apartment and also spent time in Mr Roger and Mrs Elizabeth Sharratt's home. Her tour included the village's fitness room, swimming pool, the landscaped Palm Garden, the sanctuary and hairdressers.

"HRH seemed genuinely interested in Roseland Parc and its residents," said Mr Gooding. "She went out of her way to meet as many of our residents as she could and they were delighted to have the opportunity."

After mingling with guests, HRH unveiled a specially-commissioned plaque marking the official opening. She said: "I am very impressed with what I have seen here and I pray that you will all have a happy future here."

HRH signed the visitor book before leaving for her next appointment in Truro.

Mrs Fairbairn said: "It has been a fantastic occasion for everybody at Roseland Parc and an important milestone in the life of the village. HRH was very enthusiastic about meeting everyone and we were grateful for her warm wishes for the future of the village."

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