Royalty In Suffolk

9th February 2010, 16:04

Suffolk enjoyed a Royal visit from the Countess of Wessex today.

Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, arrived by helicopter at 10.30 this morning at The Thomas Wolsey School on Defoe Road, Ipswich.

There was a huge amount of excitement surrounding the visit, with no-one allowing the cold weather conditions to dampen the mood out in the playground and surrounding School grounds - where the helicopter used by the Countess landed. As the pictures show, Sophie looked every inch a Royal in a long grey overcoat and black boots, and immediately made a beeline to meet the children who had braved the cold to welcome her out of the helicopter.

After she had spent some time talking with the pupils, she was greeted by staff, Headteacher Nancy McArdle and The Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lord Tollemarche, before embarking on a tour of the facilities and spending further time with some of the children in the classrooms. Her visit culminated with her unveiling a plaque marking the occasion alongside Mrs.McArdle, before she continued on her tour of the County.

Her next visit was to DanceEast's new Jerwood Dance House on Ipswich's Waterfront, where she again met with pupils and staff and had a tour of the impressive new multimillion pound facility.

The final stop on her tour saw her flown by helicopter to Easton Farm Park, near Wickham Market, where she spent the afternoon meeting with local business people and children from Easton pre-school and Primary school. Finally, she was due to meet with Whitton Poppy, the Queen's Suffolk Punch Horse.