"Chater School headteacher Geoff Tither wanted a royal touch for the opening of his new school – and on Wednesday morning Princess Diana breezed into West Watford to do just that.”

It was on February 24, 1988 – 27 years ago this week – that, on a freezing cold day, Princess Diana arrived to open the £660,000 Addiscombe Road school.

“Teachers, governors, local digitaries and nearly 250 pupils watched the Princess unveil a commemorative plaque,” and receive a gift of a specially-made draughts set from Ajlas Khan and Pavanjeet Sanotra, reported the Watford Observer two days later.

And, the paper said, “the popular Princess of Wales did not disappoint when she unexpectedly mingled with delighted residents, chatting and shaking hands before continuing her official duties.”

Meanwhile, inside the school, “excited pupils took up their well-rehearsed places as the Lord Lieutenant for Hertfordshire, Simon Bowes Lyon, introduced the Princess to governors and local dignitaries.”

However, the paper reports, “the real fun began when the royal party went on a classroom tour”. The report continues:

“The Princess, dressed in a chic black and white houndstooth check jacket and black skirt, found time to talk to several pupils and teachers during her hour-long visit.

“Little Nadia Akram and Nasreen Akhtar, both aged ten, were wide-eyed with excitement when the Princess crouched down at their desk for a cosy chat.

“‘We writing our names in Greek and Russian and she was very interested,’ said Nasreen, of Chester Road, Watford.

“Busy pupils were working on a scale model of the new £660,000 school, which clearly impressed the Princess. Hertfordshire County Council is currently working on plans to replace the former Chater schools in Harwoods Road and Southsea Avenue, with modern school buildings.

“Towards the end of the tour, the entire school congregated in the assembly hall where Princess Diana unveiled a silver plaque and was treated to a burst of music from the school orchestra.

The big surprise for Princess Diana came when she was given a draughts set specially made by enterprising pupils.

“We hope this reminds you of Chater School and we would like to give it to Prince William and Prince Harry so they can enjoy the game as we do,” said plucky 11-year-old Pavanjeet Sanotra.”

At the time, the Royal princes would have been aged five and three.

To continue: “Relieved headteacher Geoff Tither declared the opening a success and praised the Princess for her patience with some of the children who cannot speak English very well.

“‘This has set the school off on the right sort of start. It is a special event that children can look back on and now we can get on with the job of working on the curriculum,’ said Mr Tither.

“‘Princess Diana spoke to as many children as she could and she was particularly god with the ones who cannot speak English as well as the others,” he added.

“About 87 per cent of pupils at the multi-racial school are from Pakistani or ethnic backgrounds and Princess Diana discussed the multi-cultural activities at the school with governors in the staff room.

“County councillor Stella Meldrum said at the end of the visit the wide range of nationalities at the school was an enormous advantage to pupils.