Royal reception: Olympic torch arrives applauded by special guest

THE Olympic Torch got a royal reception yesterday when it was welcomed to a stately home by Princess Beatrice.

The princess was the special guest as the torch relay arrived at Harewood House, near Leeds, where hundreds of schoolchildren cheered torchbearer Janet Baker up the tree-lined main drive.

Beatrice met Miss Baker, 33, on the steps of the imposing house along with the Earl of Harewood.

Earlier, the princess was greeted with delight by the crowds of families and schoolchildren when she went on an impromptu walkabout in the grounds.

Beatrice spent about 20 minutes chatting to families waiting for the torch, telling them how pleased she was to be at the event. Torchbearer Miss Baker said: “Coming up that drive, it was absolutely amazing. And with everybody stood on the steps waiting, it was, like, wow.”

Asked what the Princess said to her, Miss Baker said: “Hello. Welcome – and how proud she was seeing me do it. Pretty special – pretty good.”