THE Princess Royal dropped in at a rehabilitation centre to meet injured jockeys.

Princess Anne, who officially opened Jack Berry House — a £3.1 million rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys — in Malton in June 2015, paid a return visit yesterday (May 18).

The former Olympic equestrian, who is patron of the charity, met with 30 jockeys who have received or are receiving treatment at the centre.

Chief executive, Lisa Hancock, said the princess joined them for afternoon tea and stayed for several hours.

Mrs Hancock said: "It was a real treat for the guests to meet the princess as many of them haven't been able to go out themselves until now. She was very generous with her time and really interested to hear their stories.

"We had our president, 20-time champion jump jockey AP McCoy, here as well and she spent some time with him.

"The princess is an experienced equestrian herself and she was comparing her old injuries from days gone by to some of the jockeys she met. She's very aware of how medical and rehab practises have progressed enormously."

Last year the princess unveiled a statue of Jack Berry, vice-president of The Injured Jockeys Fund, who has been the driving force to open a centre in the North to complement the charity’s existing facility, Oaksey House in Lambourn.

This time around the Queen's daughter arrived by helicopter on what is being described as a private visit to be greeted by waiting crowds.