MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Royal Donation to Falkland Islands Trust. Souvenir Booklet of Royal Visit.

A Falklands plantation has been named “Alexandra Wood” to commemorate Princess Alexandra's first visit to the Islands as Patron of the Falkland Islands Trust (FIT) and the Shackleton Scholarship Fund (SSF).

This is confirmed in a Commemorative Booklet of the visit published (on September 4) by the Falkland Islands Trust, which says the Princess and her husband, Sir Angus Ogilvy, have made a generous donation to the Trust.

The wood, a permanent reminder of what the Princess called a "magical visit" in February , is at picturesque Port Howard, one of several sites where the Trust has been encouraging and experimenting with tree-growing. Princess Alexandra was delighted." I've never had a wood named after me!", she exclaimed.

In a foreword welcoming the Booklet and thanking the Islanders for their warm welcome, the Princess says:" It gives me particular pleasure that the Trust's wood at Port Howard is now named after me and I will watch its development with special interest...."Visiting the Islands was a great privilege and I value my connection with the Islands, and send my best wishes and thanks to all of you who made me so welcome during my time amongst you".

The Princess says: "It was very interesting to see at first hand something of the work and activities of the Trust , and to know that these are appreciated by the many in the Islands whom they benefit".

The idea of naming the wood after her came up during her stay at Port Howard International Tourist and Fishing Lodge with the late Robin Lee and his wife, Hattie. The Trustees agreed, with the enthusiastic endorsement of the Falklands Legislative Councillors. Robin Lee died three months after Princess Alexandra's visit following heart surgery in the United Kingdom. The Booklet carries a tribute to him for his dedicated work as a FIT Trustee.

The Souvenir Booklet, illustrated with photographs, is being sold to raise funds for the Trust and the Shackleton Scholarship Fund. Two thousand copies are on their way by ship to the Falkland Islands.

The front of the Booklet is illustrated with pictures of the Princess and of the First Day Cover with special Princess Alexandra stamps, issued by the Falklands Philatelic Bureau, which can also be purchased in aid of the Trust.

Another thirty pictures, in colour and black and white, tell the story of the visit. The booklet describes the work of the Trust, set up as a charity to support the Islands' a