Princess Royal to visit Edinburgh pandas

The visit, on February 28, is in the princess’s role as Royal Patron of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland which runs the zoo.

It is unclear at this stage if her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence will accompany the princess.

But it will be a case of second time lucky for the Royal Family in seeing the pandas.

The princess’s father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is Honorary Fellow of The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, had hoped to see them in August.

But instead the Duke visited the empty panda enclosure and met staff involved in the project as the pandas had not yet arrived.

The visit came 37 years after the Duke was presented with two giant pandas originally given during Edward Heath’s goodwill visit to China.

The panda is a symbol of peace in China.

Meanwhile the male panda is steadily improving after his bout of colic, according to zoo bosses.

Yang Guang was taken off public display last week after he became unwell.

The eight-year-old and his breeding partner Tian Tia - the first giant pandas to live in the UK for 17 years - arrived in the capital at the start of December.

Zoo staff said it had been “lovely” to hear how concerned everyone has been about Yang Guang.

Iain Valentine, director of research and conservation, said: “It really shows how much he’s been taken to the hearts of the people of Scotland, the UK and even around the world.”

The panda is expected to be off show from the public for at least two or three more days.

Mr Valentine added: “We’ll all be really delighted when he’s back to his old self, even Tian Tian, as she’s been spotted going up to the grid between their two outdoor enclosures to look for Yang Guang.”

The pair will stay in the capital for 10 years. It is hoped they will eventually produce cubs.

The first 600 pre-booked visitors started viewing the giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo before Christmas.

Groups have been visiting for 30 minute slots from 09:15.