Princess Beatrice's tree planting duties

Mar 23, 2010, 13:17 GMT

Britain's Princess Beatrice planted trees with schoolchildren yesterday (22.03.10).

The 21-year-old royal went out on a rare public engagement when she helped excited students from Highfields Primary School in Enfield plant saplings at Heartwood Forest in Hertfordshire, East England.

Beatrice - who first became interested in trees at a Woodland Trust event last year - wore boots, a mini skirt and warm leather jacket for the occasion.

She said: "It is fantastic to see what the Woodland Trust is doing here and how it will develop. It's so interesting to see the children exploring the forest and being around nature just like we should be.

"I have planted my hazel tree. when will I ever get to come to a forest on a Monday and plant a tree - it's great."

The Goldsmiths University student was most recently in the news because of her controversial security bill, where it was claimed she escapes public duties, but still benefits from full-time protection - at the taxpayer's expense.

Critics such as Dai Davies, a respected former head of Britain's Scotland Yard's Royalty Protection Squad, claimed her round-the-clock support is unnecessary.

He said: "It's difficult to see the justification in security terms for providing such protection 24/7."