Moment royal fanatics have chance encounter with Princess Anne

Moment royal fanatics exchange ‘banter’ with ‘cheeky’ Princess Anne during chance encounter after helicopter lands at a local sports centre in Yorkshire

  • Emma Dodsworth and Lisa Watkins finishing work in Molton, North Yorkshire
  • Noticed a helicopter coming to land which bore the official Royal family symbol  
  • Royal asked if were playing football because was wearing trainers and sweatshirt
  • Duo told Princess Royal that they were there to see her and she said ‘do get away’

A pair of royal fanatics have shared the moment they exchanged ‘banter’ with ‘cheeky’ Princess Anne during chance encounter after the royal’s helicopter landed at a local sports centre.

Emma Dodsworth and Lisa Watkins were finishing work in Molton, North Yorkshire when they noticed a helicopter coming to land.

They thought it might be Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise who had been filming ‘Mission Impossible’ in the area.

The pair quickly realised it was a member of the Royal family after noticing that the burgundy helicopter bore the official symbol.

As big Royal fans the two could hardly believe their luck and followed the helicopter to its landing place at a local sports centre. Shortly after, a 4×4 pulled up and none other that Princess Anne, 70, emerged.

Emma Dodsworth and Lisa Watkins, from Molton, North Yorkshire, have shared the moment they exchanged ‘banter’ with ‘lovely’ Princess Anne (pictured), 70, during chance encounter after the royal’s helicopter landed at a local sports centre

As big royal fans the two could hardly believe their luck and followed the helicopter to its landing place at a local sports centre. Pictured, Princess Anne waving

As big royal fans the two could hardly believe their luck and followed the helicopter to its landing place at a local sports centre. Pictured, Princess Anne waving

The princess had been visiting the nearby Jack Berry House, a rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys.

After taking time to have a little bit of banter with the gathered crowd, the Princess was ushered across the football field to the helicopter which was then filmed powering up and taking off.

Stunned Lisa from Nawton, who is the manager of Parnaby’s clothing in Malton, said: ‘Emma and I, we adore the royal family so we couldn’t miss it.’

‘We pulled up and parked the car and ran to where the helicopter was landing but there was only the pilot.

The princess (pictured stepping out of the 4x4) had been visiting the nearby Jack Berry House, a rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys

The princess (pictured stepping out of the 4×4) had been visiting the nearby Jack Berry House, a rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys

Speaking of the encounter, Emma, who filmed it, said: 'We were shaking and so excited. We have not stopped talking about it.' Pictured, Princess Anne arriving in the 4x4

Speaking of the encounter, Emma, who filmed it, said: ‘We were shaking and so excited. We have not stopped talking about it.’ Pictured, Princess Anne arriving in the 4×4

After taking time to have a little bit of banter with the gathered crowd, the Princess was ushered across the football field to the helicopter (pictured)

After taking time to have a little bit of banter with the gathered crowd, the Princess was ushered across the football field to the helicopter (pictured)

‘We then started to talk to some security guy and they wouldn’t tell us who it was but he eventually said someone would be arriving in 45 minutes. A 4×4 then pulled over with Princess Anne.

‘As soon as she got out she asked if we were going to play football as I was wearing trainers and a sweatshirt. We told her we were there to see her and she said “do get away.”‘

‘She had a cheeky grin and we laughed and I cried.

‘She was so lovely. I have reputation to do banter so of course I would banter with Princess Anne.’

Co-worker Emma from Harome, who filmed the chance encounter, added: ‘We weren’t expecting it, I am a professional photographer and I have taken photos of Princess Anne before. She’s been absolutely lovely.

‘We are Royal family addict, so when we saw the helicopter I recognised the burgundy from last time. We were shaking and so excited. We have not stopped talking about it.’