GWR train named after Princess Anne at London Paddington

The Intercity Express Train 800024 was named after The Princess Royal during a ceremony at London Paddington on May 2.

She attended the event with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who is a member of the GWR Advisory Board.

Intercity Express Train 800024 was named in honour of Her Royal Highness (Image: GWR)

Following the unveiling, she spoke with guests including the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, former Prime Minister Theresa May, and Transport for London commissioner Andrew Lord.

Great Western Railway managing director, Mark Hopwood, said: "Today GWR proudly continues this tradition, recognising and celebrating inspirational individuals who have shaped the communities and the nation.

"Her Royal Highness has dedicated a large part of her working life to official engagements and visits and we are delighted to recognise this immense contribution by carrying her name on the side of this InterCity Express Train."

Mr Harper added: "Her Royal Highness has made a significant contribution to so many important charities, events and public services so it gives me great pride to celebrate this through one of the greatest traditions on our railways."

The train's design takes inspiration from GWR’s King George V locomotive featuring a coin design on its side that pictures The Princess during the 1976 Montreal Olympics on one side and the GWR coat of arms on the other.

Princess Anne at London Paddington (Image: GWR)

Annamarie Phelps CBE, vice-chairman of the British Olympic Association, said: "HRH The Princess Royal is synonymous with British Olympic sport and the British Olympic Association.

"Having competed as an Olympian, she also holds the unique record of being an IOC member, having led an international sport federation and, of course, being the mother to another Olympian, Zara Tindall."

HRH has been affiliated with an array of charitable endeavours including serving as President of Save the Children UK since 1970 and also been patron of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association since 2008.

Princess Anne at London Paddington (Image: GWR)

Gemma Sherrington, interim chief executive of Save the Children, said: "The Princess Royal has supported the work of Save the Children for over 50 years and as our Patron has worked tirelessly to support us, visiting teams in the UK and around the world and regularly meeting with our inspirational fundraisers and volunteers."

Tanya Curry, chief executive of the MND Association, added: "HRH The Princess Royal has offered steadfast support to the MND Association for more than 16 years and is a remarkable advocate for people with motor neurone disease, a terminal illness which affects more than 5000 people in the UK at any one time."