The Princess Royal met staff at the 3D printing firm and was given a tour of the premises by managing director Paul Holt.

Also present were local dignitaries including the city mayor and mayoress, Stephen and Margaret Lane, city MP Paul Bristow, mayor of the combined authority Dr Nik Johnson, leader of the city council Wayne Fitzgerald and Peterborough City Council chief executive Gillian Beasley.

Speaking after the event, Holt said she was “very interested in our work and asked quite a few questions". He later presented her with a golden-coloured model horse created from the innovative 3D printing technology at the premises.

He said: “She has a long interest in engineering. She was asking many pertinent questions to the engineers and chemists, she gave a very detailed understanding for engineering and science and was very interested in our work and technology.”

Speaking to Peterborough Matters, Bristow said: “This has always been one of these companies that says what Peterborough is all about.

“It's history of engineering and manufacturing. We can compete in the future, take on [the] next generations of engineers and manufacturers - and Photocentric is an example of that.

“And to have [the] Princess Royal here to see that really puts us on the map.

“We don’t often shout out about what’s special about our history here in Peterborough. We have a really good story to tell and have a good future and tremendous potential. The university they are partnering with is symbolic of that.”

Photocentric was applauded for its efforts in making millions of items of PPE during the peak of the Covid pandemic.

The tour was followed by a private lunch.