PRINCESS Anne has hailed a group representing 34,000 women for debating euthanasia at its annual conference at Harrogate International Centre, after delegates voted for a change in the law.

The Princess Royal, patron of the Townwomen’s Guild, said the organisation had broken a taboo by highlighting “the most difficult and uncomfortable subject which very few people take the trouble to talk about”.

She said: "I hope it will inspire new members, the fact you take the trouble to discover more than the headlines behind these subjects."

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of political campaign Dignity In Dying told delegates that many doctors won't discuss assisted dying with patients for fear of prosecution.

The guild’s vice-president, TV presenter Esther Rantzen, said she would support the campaign to change the law.

She said: "I think the population is saying we don’t want to be forced to live in pain so our families’ last memories of us are of us suffering.”