THAME Market traders showed Princess Anne around the stalls as she visited to mark its 800th anniversary.

The Princess Royal called in at the Tuesday Market in Upper High Street yesterday where people can buy everything from asparagus to antiques.

Following a tour of the stalls, Princess Anne unveiled a plaque on Market House that will be a permanent reminder of the success of one of the town’s best-loved traditions.

Originally the Upper High Street car park was used for the sale of cattle while stalls selling vegetables and other goods were located in Cornmarket.

Tuesday has been established as market day in Thame since 1183 and the first Market Charter was granted by King John in 1215.

Princess Anne was welcomed by town mayor Jeanette Matelot Green and members of the Thame branch of the National Market Traders’ Federation.

Branch chairman Mike Broun, 67, from Pangbourne, Berkshire, who has been trading at Thame Market for the past 20 years, said: “All the stallholders were delighted to see Princess Anne – it was a special day for the market.

Our top stories

“I sell honey, jams, pickles, and eggs and Princess Anne came to my stall.

“We thanked her for making such an effort to come and visit.”

Mr Broun said there were 40 stallholders at the Tuesday market who sell a wide variety of goods including handbags, vegetables, and jewellery.

One of the stallholders who met Princess Anne was antiques seller Terry Guest, who has been trading at the market for the past 30 years.