Victorian Heritage Celebrations organising committee member Christy Rolfe and Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher hold a letter from Buckingham Palace wishing Oamaru well for this week's events.
The letter was prompted by an invitation instigated by Mrs Rolfe to Princess Anne to come to the celebrations, which start tomorrow and end with the Victorian Fete on Sunday.
She checked out members of the Royal Family to see who might be supportive of the celebrations, selecting Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.
''She already had links with the town through her interest in the early exploration of Antarctica.''
The princess also held titles directly linked to Queen Victoria, whose era the celebrations reflected.
Worried the princess had a busy schedule of 480 official assignments a year, Mrs Rolfe phoned Buckingham Palace and found out that if the Mr Kircher could email the next day, her private secretary might be able to assist.
The princess was visiting charities privately in Canada, Australia and Vanuatu, and had only two days planned in her office.
Mr Kircher sent the request and the result came with the Buckingham Palace coat of arms and letterhead within days.
''It sets a Royal seal of approval on the celebrations,'' she said.
While unable to personally attend, the princess sent ''her best wishes for successful and enjoyable celebrations''.
