A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER from Caterham met Princess Anne – and got inside information on some royal babies.
Elizabeth Bennett, 83, was able to share family insights with the Princess Royal, who has two grandchildren herself.
The pair met when the royal VIP unveiled a commemorative stone to stage and screen actress Dame Anna Neagle – Mrs Bennett's aunt.
Princess Anne did the honours on March 6, at the City of London Cemetery in East London, where the star and her husband are buried
Mrs Bennett, who has three children, nine grandchildren and a great grandchild, said: "Princess Anne was incredible. She was charm personified. She told me what it is like to be a proud grandmother and how her grandchildren were really good and slept very well.
"It was a wonderful day.
"She spoke to each of my relatives who were present."
The entire family then joined their distinguished guest at a nearby reception.
Among Mrs Bennett's extended family who attended the unveiling was her daughter Sally Blockley, who travelled from Australia for the once-in-a-lifetime event. Dame Anna Neagle's most celebrated screen role was as Queen Victoria in two award-winning films. On the London stage, she starred in the musical Charlie Girl in 2,047 performances. The actress died in 1986.
When Mrs Bennett married in June 1954, she wore the Norman Hartnell-designed wedding dress which her famous aunt had worn in the 1949 film, Maytime in Mayfair.
Mrs Bennett, of Foxon Close, recalled: "My aunt was tremendously successful, especially in the 1940s.
"She was at the top of the tree and won many film awards."
The day was only marred by an unfortunate accident on their return to Caterham.
Mrs Bennett's husband Antony, a retired GP, fell and fractured his hip. He is now making a good recovery.
