needs during her three-day visit to the Island which starts this afternoon.

The Bermuda Riding Centre for the Disabled, located at Windreach Recreational Village, in Warwick, will receive the Princess Royal as an "honoured guest'' and present her with a riding display by 14 of its members.

Princess Anne was part of the British equestrian team that took part in the Montreal Summer Olympics in 1976.

BRD Manager Moira Benbow explained that the demonstration will last about 40 minutes and will include a musical riding display by some of the children and a kur by three adult riders who competed in the World Championships for disabled riders in Denmark this year.

She said: "Most of our riders are disabled children from primary schools from all over the Island.

"They will ride around to specially composed music sung by the Gilbert School Choir.'' Ms Benbow added that the Princess's visit would be "wonderful inspiration for all of the children here''.

"I only hope that the weather turns out to be okay,'' she said.

After visiting the equestrian centre, the Princess Royal will go on a tour of the Windreach Recreational Village with its founder Alexander (Sandy) Mitchell.

This tour will include every aspect of the facility including its petting zoo, playground and Sensory Trail.

Although the press have been invited to most of the functions Princess Anne will attend, a Government House spokesman stressed yesterday that this should be treated as a "private visit''.

He said: "Buckingham Palace have requested that we keep it as quiet as possible.'' This low-key treatment will be reflected by the fact that when she arrives today Princess Anne will not be honoured by an official ceremony, but instead she will be met by a small reception committee consisting of Governor Thorold Masefield, his wife Jennifer, and head of Airport Operations Marshall Minors.

She is staying on the Island until Friday and will attend functions from St.

George's to Dockyard, including visits to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the Bermuda National Gallery and the Bermuda Sailors Home.