Steven's floral surprise for Anne

By Hector Mackenzie

Published: 07 September, 2007

A NINE-year-old Easter Ross lad savoured a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with The Princess Royal this week – even if it was the helicopter in which she had arrived that really grabbed his attention!

In a touching spur-of-the-moment gesture, Invergordon lad Steven Gardner presented Princess Anne with a bunch of flowers as she prepared to board the royal helicopter following visits to both Invergordon and Alness on Tuesday this week.

Earlier, the South Lodge Primary School pupil had chatted with the pilot of the helicopter, which is used by the Queen and royal family to attend official engagements. He was thrilled when the pilot gave him a photograph of the glistening aircraft and posed for a picture with him.

Steven, of the town's Caberfeidh Drive, was also on hand with mum Jaki when the Princess Royal arrived back at her helicopter on land close to the shore road leading into Invergordon to take her leave. It was then that he calmly strode across the road as she got out of her Range Rover to present her with the flowers, which were gratefully received by the Princess Royal, flanked by her bodyguard.

Mum Jaki said, "He was really keen to see the helicopter. It was really nice because there were mums and kids waiting to see her off and it was a nice relaxed atmosphere. Steven is quite shy so I was proud of him going across to give her flowers. The look on his face after he did it was priceless!"

Steven often helps his mum water the 120 flower baskets in Invergordon. Earlier, hundreds of people lined the streets of the town to see Princess Anne inspect the mural trail.