Former florist Jean Cudworth said the visit was “amazing”.
“She’s such a wonderful, lovely lady – and so interesting,” she added.
Despite being “very nervous” about the visit, Ms Cudworth – who said she was new to the complex – said the Princess Royal put her “right at ease”.
Leylands Estate is made up of a number of cottages and apartments owned by the Retail Trust charity.
The charity was set up to support the health and wellbeing of people hoping to work in retail, those who already work in retail, and those who have retired from the sector.