Hogwarts? No, it's Edinburgh University

(GETTY)

JK Rowling returned to the city where she wrote the first of the Harry Potter books yesterday to be rewarded for her philanthropy.

The author was at Edinburgh University to be honoured by the Princess Royal, who performed her first duty as the new chancellor. Princess Anne presented the writer with the University Benefactor's award in recognition of a £10m donation made last year.

The money was to establish the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, named after the author's mother, who died of multiple sclerosis at the age of 45. It will help find treatments for MS and other progressive, incurable diseases. Professor Sir John Savill, head of the college of medicine, said the money has given hope to thousands of people.