The Princess officially opened Silverstone's command centre

She was to experience several hundred horsepower when she toured around the Silverstone racetrack beside driver and commentator, Martin Brundle.

The Princess was also going to Overthorpe near Banbury in Oxfordshire to the Dogs for the Disabled charity.

There she was to see how the dogs can carry out daily tasks such as loading the washing machine.

And in Charlton, the Princess was to tour cheaper houses built to help local people stay in the village.

Official opening of centre

While at the Silverstone circuit, the Princess Royal would also be opening the circuit's new command centre.

The centre is one of the new facilities that has been added in an effort to keep the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

In February, Octogan Motorsports which promotes the British Grand Prix, announced it would invest �4m in the circuit before the race in July.