The Talent Hub in Stratford surprised by Princess Anne visit

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visited the Talent House - home to East London Dance and music organisation UD - on June 13 to launch the second year of Foundation for Future London’s UK-wide youth programme, Culture Exchange.

This programme, co-funded by Westfield Stratford City, seeks to bring together communities and create opportunities across east London through innovative arts and cultural initiatives.

During her visit, the Princess Royal awarded certificates to young people who had participated in last year's Culture Exchange pilot.

HRH The Princess Royal arrives at Talent House in Stratford and is welcomed by Foundation for Future London’s chief executive Sarah Nelson (Image: Anne-Marie Michel)

This group consisted of 50 young people aged between 18 and 25 from east London, Preston, Sheffield and Birmingham.

While there, she also watched dance performances and demonstrations from young artists and creatives.

Tia Hassan and Kate Scanlan, joint creative director and chief executive at East London Dance, said: "East London Dance is proud to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to our home.

"We are building a creative home for young people, local talent and the community at the Talent House.

Young dancer Olu Alatise performs (Image: Anne-Marie Michel)

"Along with our programmes, we are a catalyst for change, breaking down barriers and enriching the sector with new audiences, future talent and the creation of new dance theatre work."

Culture Exchange encourages young people to engage in artistic, cultural, and digital media training.

It is funded by WEBCFF, a five-year £10 million programme designed to benefit the boroughs surrounding the East Bank cultural quarter both economically and socially.

Foundation for Future London was established in 2015 as an independent charity.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meets young performers from Flames Collective, a choir and talent incubator established in 2016 by UD (Image: Anne-Marie Michel)

Its mission is to connect individuals in the communities of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with the new East Bank.

Sarah Nelson, chief executive of Foundation for Future London, said: "The visit from our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal signifies a remarkable milestone in our journey to transform east London through the arts and education.

"Through initiatives like the Culture Exchange programme, and with the support of partners like Westfield Stratford City, we are not just dreaming about a brighter, more inclusive future, we are actively building it."