Princess Anne touched down in Bermuda last night, ahead of a weekend visit crowning celebrations for the centennial Newport-Bermuda race.

The VIP guest ? a sailing enthusiast and president of the Royal Yachting Association ? stepped off the British Airways flight from London just after 6.20 p.m. yesterday.

The Princess Royal was greeted by Governor Sir John Vereker before being introduced to a group of dignitaries including Government Protocol Officer David Dumont, Police Commissioner George Jackson and Airport manager Jim Howes.

Minutes after leaving the plane and after exchanging brief greetings with the waiting dignitaries, she was whisked away in the Governor?s new BMW.

A Government spokeswoman said Premier Alex Scott, who was in the House of Assembly when the VIP arrived, was due to meet the Princess Royal at a private cocktail party at Government House last night.

Princess Anne is the first Royal visitor to Bermuda since Prince Andrew delivered the Throne Speech last November.

Her whistle-stop itinerary includes a tour of the tall ship to mark the 100th anniversary of the Newport-Bermuda race.

She is also due to visit Windreach Recreational Village, Riding for the Disabled, Bermuda Sailors Home and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.