Princess Anne pays courtesy call on Noy

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Anne of the United Kingdom paid a courtesy call on President Aquino in Malacañang yesterday after arriving for a three-day visit.

The only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II is in the country until March 19 in connection with her charity and various humanitarian activities.

Anne met with Aquino to discuss the projects of Save the Children in the Philippines, particularly those implemented in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

 Accompanying her were British Ambassador Asif Anwar Ahmad, her private secretary Capt. Nick Wright, Mrs. David Bowes-Lyon, her lady-in-waiting.

Joining Aquino were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Social Welfare Undersecretary Mateo Montaño and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Zenaida Collinson.

Anne is also scheduled to meet with Vice President Jejomar Binay and attend a round-table discussion with future entrepreneurs and the British Council Education.

She will also attend a sporting reception.

As president of Save the Children, Anne will visit projects and beneficiaries supported by the organization and an elementary school in Leyte.

As patron of Opportunity International UK, she will also visit the Tulay sa Pag-Unlad Inc. micro-finance trust, a partner of OI in the country.

Anne is president or patron of some 320 organizations.