DELIGHTED staff at a well-known design studio were thrilled to welcome a royal visitor to their Cotswold headquarters.

The Princess Royal paid a visit to Robert Welch Designs in Chipping Campden on Friday, January 20, as part of celebrations to mark the company's 60th anniversary.

Princess Anne was given a tour of the studio and shop, before unveiling a sculpture by Chipping Campden School pupil Anna Elvins.

The sculpture - made entirely from cutlery - was designed as part of a competition run by Robert Welch Designs with the school.

Alice Welch, deputy managing director, said: "It was an absolute privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who is so well informed in terms of design and so genuinely interested in our company and its history.

"After the plaque had been unveiled we spent some time presenting the heritage wall in the studio shop, which documents my father’s design career.

"I think HRH was genuinely surprised to see a photo of her father presenting Robert with an award the 1950s."

Guests flocked from around the world to catch a glimpse of the royal visitor and to celebrate the firm's 60th anniversary.

During her visit, Princess Anne presented the 2016 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade and unveiled a plaque.

Director Rupert Welch was given a commemorative crystal bowl, while Ms Welch was handed the official QAE scroll.

The Princess Royal was presented with a Limbrey bowl by Robert Welch Life President Patricia Welch.

During her visit, the royal guest was escorted by Dame Janet Trotter, Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, along with Mr and Ms Welch.

Dame Janet also gave a speech, in which she praised Robert Welch Designs as a ‘wonderful organisation that all of us who have anything to do with fall in love with’.