carried on throughout yesterday unhampered by the morning's torrential rainstorms.

And Governor Thorold Masefield announced that, so far, "everything has gone extremely well, except, of course, for the weather''.

Yesterday's schedule began at 9:30 a.m. when the Princess' motorcade made its way from Government House to the Windreach Recreational Village in Warwick.

On the cards first of all was a visit to the Bermuda Riding for the Disabled Equestrian Centre, which is located inside the Windreach property. The sport of equestrianism is especially close to the Princess' heart as she is a superb rider having represented Great Britain at the Montreal Olympics in 1976.

Volunteers, trustees, riders and their horses lined the stables of the centre as the Royal party, including ladies-in-waiting and personal bodyguards, trailed inside to meet those responsible for keeping the centres going.

Because of the heavy rain, the scheduled children's riding show was postponed until a break in the weather.

In the meantime, the Princess inched her way around the room, making sure to meet and converse with just about everyone present (including the horses).

One volunteer who was on hand, Emma Sims, described the visit as "lovely'' and said: "I think it's a great opportunity for her to see the horses and be involved in our work.'' Emma, 13, who has been helping out at the centre since April, added that she was "really happy the Princess had come to the Island''.

Royal treat for disabled riders The Princess spent an especially long time talking to the young riders who were eagerly waiting to show her their skills in the arena.

After posing for a photo with them and signing the visitors' book, the entourage made its way over to the Windreach main building where at least 170 people had turned out to attend the momentous occasion.

Children from various primary schools sat in rows on the floor waiting to catch a glimpse of the real-life Princess.

Asked if the visit lived up to her expectations, eight-year-old Shara Trott said it had and that she thought the Princess was "nice and very pretty''.

Seven-year-old Danielle Jade said she had never seen a member of the Royal family before and that she was "having fun''.

Making her way upstairs, the Princess was honoured with a gift from one of Windreach's many young patrons.

Ten-year-old John Faries presented Her Royal Highness with a carriage bell encased in Bermuda Cedar as a token of thanks for her visit.

After mingling and chatting for a while, an apparent break in the weather meant that the riding show could begin.

Fourteen children and three adults braved returning rain on their trusty four-legged friends, riding in patterns to music, some of which was specially composed and sung for the event by the Gilbert School Choir.

Asked how she felt about the Princess visiting the facility, riding instructress Linda Sousa said: "I think it's wonderful that she came and took time out to speak to the children.

"At first, I was very disappointed due to the weather but I was glad that the children had a chance to show off their hard work.'' Ms Sousa added that Princess Anne "knows what she's talking about'' in regards to Riding for the Disabled because she is a patron of the charity back in the UK.

After taking a brief tour of Windreach with founder Alexander (Sandy) Mitchell and the unveiling of two commemoration plaques, the Royal entourage left to attend a Riding for the Disabled fund raising buffet at the Hamilton Dinghy Club.

Princess Anne's next public appearance came at 3:40 p.m. when she arrived at City Hall to attend tea with the Mayor of Hamilton William Frith.

Row upon row of residents and tourists made a forest of multi-coloured umbrellas along the entrance way to hear the City Crier Ed Christopher announce the imminent arrival to the centre of Hamilton.

When the Princess' motorcade drew in, it was met with a warm round of applause from the crowd who, in turn, received a smile and a wave from Her Royal Highness as she ascended the steps to meet the Mayor, Secretary of the Corporation of Hamilton Roger Sherratt and their wives.

One person present was resident Ann Ross, who said she thought Princess Anne's visit was "wonderful''.

"Princess Anne doesn't get as much publicity as other members of the Royal family and I think she deserves it as she's done a lot to help people around the world,'' she said.

Also there were local couple William (Bifty) and Lena Hayward.

Mr. Hayward, 81, who used to work at Government House, said: "It's nice to see her coming here. We don't know as much about her as the others.'' Mrs. Hayward added that they considered it an "honour'' that Princess Anne should come and visit Bermuda.

Thus far, the Princess Royal's visit has been heralded as a success by the majority of people asked.

Two events in particular that have been seen in this way were the cocktail reception and dinner party held at the Bermuda National Gallery on Tuesday evening.

Invited guests were charged $75 and $1,500 respectively, for tickets to the functions with the hope that $100,000 could be raised for the Gallery's Education and Community Outreach Programmes.

According to Gallery director Laura Gorham: "Everything worked out beautifully.'' Asked what her impression of the Princess Royal was, she described her as "very easy going and gracious''.

"She took time out to speak to every one of our guests and seemed to be having real conversations with them as opposed to just polite chatter.'' Ms Gorham said.

She explained that the raised money, which came close to $100,000, will be used to enhance the way in which the Gallery reaches out to the public and, in particular, students.

Today, Princess Anne continues her visit with a tree-planting ceremony at Government House and an extensive tour of St. George's, including a visit to the Unfinished Church, the refurbished Featherbed Alley and Fort St.

Catherine.

This all begins at 9:45 a.m. when the Princess will arrive and be met by the Mayor of St. George's Lois Perinchief and the Town Crier E. Michael Jones in front of the Town Hall.