Princess Anne has paid her respects by laying a wreath and meeting with the families mourning the loss of two police officers killed in Porepunkah, Victoria.

In what marks her first visit to Melbourne in over 15 years, all of Princess Anne’s scheduled events have been conducted privately, away from the public eye.

The princess took a moment to honour the fallen by laying a wreath in their memory.

Details of her itinerary were kept under wraps until the last possible moment.

Despite her discreet arrival at the airport last night, some onlookers managed to catch a glimpse of Princess Anne during her first return to Melbourne since 2009.

Unlike past visits to Melbourne, Anne won’t be shaking hands with members of the public; instead, her schedule is full of official duties

Her visit is part of a four-day east coast trip as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, to mark its centenary.

At the Simpson Barracks in Melbourne’s north-east, she received a royal salute and inspected the Quarter Guard.

The 75-year-old also met servicemen and women, as well as inspected the arsenal.