A European princess is visiting towns in the North East to thank charity shop volunteers and staff for their contributions to their charity's work in Eastern Europe.

HRH Princess Maria of Romania is a patron of Children in Distress, a UK charity that has run shops in the North East for many years.

The charity was founded after the collaps of Ceaușescu's regime in Romania in 1989 caused a crisis in children's care services. In that time, Children in Distress has helped fund hospice care, and community and education programmes.

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Over the course of the three decades of its existence, the charity has helped fund medical and palliative care for hundreds of sick and disabled children in Romania.

UNICEF's latest figures show 100,000 Ukrainian refugees remain in Romania, and Children in Distress's work includes getting aid to them, too.

Princess Maria visited the charity's Shildon shop on Friday (March 3), where manager Melanie Morgan shared her excitement.

"It's not every day a princess visits us," she said.

The Northern Echo: The shop in Shildon is one of three in the region visited by the princess over the weekendThe shop in Shildon is one of three in the region visited by the princess over the weekend (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

HRH visited the charity's shops in Kirkbymoorside and Guisborough today (Saturday)

Tracy England, who has been manager of the Guisborough shop for ten years, said: “We’ve always been a big part of the community but now with the cost of living crisis we’re essential for many people trying to save money on their shopping.” 

Anne-Marie Martin, co-chair of the charity, said: “Our shops are a vital part of our fundraising, and our supporters and volunteers are the bedrock of the charity. This visit shows just how important they are to us.”

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Princess Maria of Romania is the youngest daughter of Michael I, the last king of Romania who was forced to abdicate at gunpoint by Communists in 1947, and was born in Denmark while the family was in exile. She moved to Romania permanently in 2015.

Although the constitutional role for the Romanian royals wasn't restored after the fall of Communism, Maria's elder sister Margareta is Custodian of the Crown of Romania and the family raises money for charities while performing similar duties to the British royal family.

People interested in finding out more about the charity’s work should visit: www.childrenindsitress.org

The Northern Echo: The princess too time to have a look around the Shildon shop, chatting to staff and customersThe princess too time to have a look around the Shildon shop, chatting to staff and customers (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)