Princess Anne braved the snow to open a new development of affordable housing at Hambledon, near Chiddingfold.
The Princess Royal flew in by helicopter last Thursday to unveil a plaque at the development of Dunscombs Cottages on Hambledon Road.
Greeted by more than 10 representatives from Waverley Borough Council and members of Busbridge and Hambledon's parish councils, the princess was presented with a posy of freesias and roses by five-year-old Abbie Luxford.
Abbie lives in one of the cottages with her family. Her mother, Carla Marshall, said she had been "very excited" as she waited for the princess' arrival.
After the unveiling of the plaque, the Groves family, who live in one of the five cottages, invited the princess into their home for a chat and guided tour.
The Groves are a local family for whom the scheme has been a lifeline.
Mary has lived in Hambledon for more than 25 years and her parents and family are all from the local area.
She said that her family had been threatened with homelessness after problems with insurance companies arose when her husband Martyn was hijacked in Warsaw while delivering a four-wheel-drive vehicle to Belarus.
"It was just so good to know that we could stay in the local area and our children would not be faced with the upheaval of moving schools and villages.
"With all the trauma we had gone through, it was a big relief to know we could stay near to our friends and family," Mary told The Herald.
The Groves' four children Becky (19), Christopher (17), Vicky (14), and William (11) were also present for the princess' visit. Mrs Groves added: "I think the scheme is a good idea because it keeps villages as active communities rather than just places which are deserted during the daytime because all the residents have commuted to work elsewhere."
Princess Anne was accompanied on her visit by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Gordon Lee-Steere.
The Mayor of Waverley, Brian Ellis, and trustee of the Rural Housing Trust, Bishop Keith Arnold, were introduced to the princess.
Other residents of the cottages include Kevin and Petra Hammond, Elizabeth Barnett and her son Ben, and Katherine Vacher.
The housing scheme was funded by a partnership of the Rural Housing Trust (RHT), of which Princess Anne is president, the borough and parish councils, and the English Rural Housing Association.
The Hambledon scheme is RHT's fifth housing development completed in the borough and other schemes will soon be launched in Milford and Ewhurst.
A planning agreement ensures that the homes at Hambledon and at the future developments remain available to local people.
The chairman of Hambledon Parish Council, Ion Campbell, said: "This is a small but lively village which depends on a balanced community to thrive.
"The cottages are playing an invaluable part in protecting the future of the village because young people whose families have lived in Hambledon for generations are being squeezed out by wealthier newcomers."