Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex – Prince Edward and his wife Sophie – have been visiting community groups across the Isle of Wight today (Tuesday).
The Queen’s helicopter touched down at the Island Riding Centre on the outskirts of Newport at just gone 11:00 to start the full day of engagements.
The Royal couple’s first stop was to Pan Together to see the good work done by the Community Centre and the Barnados Family Centre on Pan Estate. It’s here that children from Barton Primary School greeted the Queen’s youngest son and his wife.
HRH Prince Edward, accompanied by The Countess, then went to the County Showground at Northwood to see the Isle of Wight Agricultural Society Education Day.
Other visits include meeting the team behind Independent Arts in Newport High Street and South Wight Area Youth, exploring the work being done with young people on the Isle of Wight.
It was then over to Shanklin’s Columbus House – a local sheltered housing complex – to see and join in with their preparations to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee.
The Royals concluded their busy day and departed from nearby Sandown Airport at just before 16:00 – with bundles of flowers and gifts from well wishers. They gave a wave to a small number of people who had gathered.
Prince Edward and Countess Sophie departing Sandown Airport in G-XXEB! @islandecho @iwightradio @iwcponline pic.twitter.com/lHK8YV9aOY
— Matthew Fuoss (@MatthewFuoss) May 24, 2022
They didn’t fancy the real IOW experience then turn up for a car ferry that’s running late or cancelled. Drive round to the floating bridge to find it’s not running then pop into Newport town to do some holiday shopping remortgage the house to park only to find all the shops have closed down.
Not very environmentally friendly. Why not get on the ferry like the rest of us and save some tax payers’ money
Visiting Pan estate?, enough to get some islanders into a frothing frenzy, splattering the windows of their bungalow with a view, with a veritable miasma of bile fluid