The Princess Royal wowed delegates at an Oxford conference with a speech full of humour and warmth.

The Princess arrived at Opportunity International's Global Conference reception at St Aldate's Church yesterday at the wheel of her own Bentley.

She was there in her role as patron of Opportunity International, which has created a million jobs in the developing world through the distribution of small loans. She told the delegates: "I'm delighted to be able to join you in this final event and I am sure this has been a very hard-working three days."

The Princess said she had seen how well Opportunity International's loans worked on a recent trip to the Philippines, and drew laughter when she added: "I'd point out the fact that many of the loans are to women and the repayment figure is astonishingly high." The Princess formally awarded a loan of 230 to bread-maker Dolores Ramon, from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic the one millionth loan the organisation has awarded.

Opportunity International marketing manager Dave Mann said: "It means so much to have the Princess here with us she's an excellent figurehead."