A letter held in the BBC Written Archives shows that Princess Anne was asked in January 1971 if she would open the new broadcasting centre in Birmingham in the autumn of that year. Her Lady in Waiting, replied that unfortunately The Princess would be on holiday in Scotland during the period specified, but that if the opening ceremony could be delayed until November, then she would find it easier to fit the engagement into her programme. It was pointed out that Her Royal Highness would understand if someone else was asked to open the building in her stead.
It was decided to move the occasion to November, rather than ask anyone else to perform the ceremony, and Princess Anne duly opened BBC Pebble Mill on 10th November 1971.
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