PRINCESS Anne visited two locations in Taunton as part of a trip to celebrate the Pride of Somerset Award winners.

As part of her royal visit today (October 31), Princess Anne visited Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital in the morning followed by a trip to Bridgwater and Taunton College.

During her visit to the hospital, The Princess Royal visited the hospital’s League of Friends shop, met volunteers who raise money for the League of Friends and trust colleagues who use a 'da Vinci xi robot', as well as seeing first-hand the difference it makes for patients.

The hospital’s League of Friends donated £1.5 million to buy the da Vinci Xi robot, which surgeons have used to operate on over 200 people in its first year.

Clinton Rogers, President of the League of Friends, said: "We organised this visit essentially to say thank you to all our volunteers. They are the heart of the League of Friends – without them, we wouldn't exist.

"It was wonderful to be able to give so many of our volunteers the chance to meet The Princess Royal. She was very warm and genuinely interested in what they had to say.

"We were also keen for The Princess Royal to see the robotic surgery console. At £1.5 million, it was the single biggest purchase in the history of the League of Friends."

Princess Anne speaking to some of the staff at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital. (Image: NHS Somerset)

Mr Richard Bamford, a colorectal consultant surgeon at the hospital, said it was fitting that The Princess Royal was able find out all about the robot for herself, and also to hear about the incredible efforts made by the League of Friends to make it happen.

“It was fantastic to show Her Royal Highness our latest state-of-the-art robotic surgery operating system,” said Richard.

“We’re eternally grateful to the League of Friends and its supporters for the passion they showed in helping to bring this technology to our hospital.

“Our team of surgeons are operating on as many patients as we can with the robot, and we have a really excellent and dedicated theatre team, led by senior nurse Noemi Eccles.

“From a patient’s point of view, it’s making a huge difference as they’re able to go home much quicker and are experiencing less pain.

“And for our surgeons, while it can of course be mentally tiring, it doesn’t have the same physical demand as we aren’t stood up straight, so it’s much more comfortable, and means we can operate for longer, both during the day and also in our careers.

“Everyone in the NHS works hard to improve their area and sometimes it’s so nice to know that it’s been seen by others and recognised.”

Heading to the Bridgwater and Taunton College at around 11:30am today, The Princess Royal went around the school speaking to a variety of students.

This included medical students at the college and the winners of The Pride of Somerset Awards 2024.

Princess Anne congratulated each award winner before being gifted a present by ZP4.

ZP4 is a group of boys who won this year's Sandy Padgett Award.

Made up of eight boys (Fred Bale, Lewis Townsend, Ollie Chorley, Sawyer Hansford, Josh Hatt, Charlie Barden, Alfie Bale, and Alex Peek) the group went above and beyond with fundraising this year.

Alex’s brother Zach unexpectedly passed away in 2022.

Zach was a remarkable young man, whose passion for life and love for football and cricket touched everyone he met.

In honour of his best friend, Fred Bale was inspired to raise funds for a bench at Bridgwater Cricket Club.

With friends, Fred aimed to raise approximately £1,000 through fundraising, exceeding all expectations he raised £37,000.

In awe of Fred’s efforts, the fundraising continued - which earned the boys this special Pride of Somerset award.

ZP4 welcomed Princess Anne with a special ZP4-branded thermal cup which she gladly accepted.

Speaking to the boys after receiving her gift, Princess Anne said: "Do you use these?

"As long as you can make it cold and hot.

"Now you've got my attention. Thank you very much indeed."