Princess Anne visits Princess Leonor's college - and it's set in a stunning castle

The Princess Royal visited a prestigious college, which is very popular with European royalty, on Monday.

Princess Anne, 72, carried out an engagement at the National Coastwatch Institution at St Donat's Bay, which is based in the grounds of the UWC Atlantic College in South Glamorgan, Wales.

She is patron of the NCI, whose station is manned by volunteers from the local community, College staff and students.

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Two 17-year-old royals from European monarchies are currently enrolled at the college – Spain's future queen, Princess Leonor, and Princess Alexia of The Netherlands.

Both princesses will complete their two-year studies for the International Baccalaureate at UWC this spring.

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UWC is set in the 12th century St Donat's Castle on the southern Welsh coast and campus facilities include a library, woodland, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and classrooms within historic buildings. The late Queen Elizabeth and the late Duke of Edinburgh toured the campus in 2014 - take a look at its impressive grounds in the clip below...

It was founded in 1962 by German educationalist Kurt Hahn, who also set up Gordonstoun boarding school in Scotland, famously attended by King Charles.

Notable alumni include King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Princess Raiyah bint Al-Hussein of Jordan. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, now 21, also graduated from the college in May 2020.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia confirmed Princess Leonor's future plans in a statement released last month.

The Spanish court announced that the teenager will undergo three years of military training, starting in August. Meanwhile, Leonor's younger sister, Infanta Sofia, will begin her studies at UWC Atlantic College this summer.

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Meanwhile, Anne's latest outing comes after she visited the Felixstowe National Coastwatch Institution in Suffolk last week.

The princess unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of the station and presented a number of long service awards.

Mr Clive Pouncey, NCI Chair said in a statement: "Her Royal Highness is a committed and enthusiastic supporter of National Coastwatch. As a Royal Patron she devotes much time to our cause and we are deeply grateful for her Patronage."

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