GREENOCK'S new ocean terminal will receive the royal seal of approval next week as the Princess Royal visits the £20m facility.

It will be one of two engagements during her stay in town on Tuesday.

Her Royal Highness will also attend a private lunch on board the Hebridean Princess, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Hebridean Island Cruises Limited.

It is expected that Princess Anne will receive a tour of the new terminal and meet staff and officials.

Provost Drew McKenzie says he is looking forward to welcoming the popular royal to Inverclyde.

He said: "I am looking forward to welcoming the Princess Royal.

"I think it is good for the area that she is visiting Inverclyde."

The Princess Royal has been a  frequent visitor to the district over the years. Her Royal Highness opened a boat show on the 30th anniversary of the Kip Marina in 2016 and visited McCaskie Butchers in Wemyss Bay two years later.

She will be the first royal visit to Inverclyde since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

The last one saw Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, captured the hearts of the community at St John's Primary in Port Glasgow earlier that year.

However the Provost is no stranger to royalty and had a front row seat at a special service of thanksgiving for the late Queen at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.

He said: "I met King Charles and Queen Camilla at a reception that was held downstairs.

"This will be the first time as Provost that I will be part of the welcoming committee to receive a member of the Royal family.

"The Princess Royal is one of the most hard-working members of the Royal family.

"I think this visit endorses what we are trying to achieve with the waterfront, the building of the cruise terminal and what is going on there, with the Tourist Group and Wyllie Museum.

"I am certain that she will be very interested."