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Norwich Cathedral final stop for Prince Edward 

WessexCathedralChoir450The final stop on Prince Edward’s flying visit to the Diocese of Norwich on November 13 was to the iconic Norwich Cathedral where he had a private lunch in the Priory Hall.

Hosted by the Dean of Norwich Cathedral, the Very Rev Jane Hedges, the Earl of Wessex then visited the Refectory where he met The Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Judith Lubbock and the Cathedral Library Reading Room where he met Cathedral Librarian Gudrun Warren and looked at some of the Cathedral archives. He was also due to meet a group of sixth formers and adult education students who regularly use the library facilities.
 
The Royal Party also visited the Cloister where the Dean pointed out a plaque commemorating the opening of the Hostry and Refectory by Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh in 2010 before heading into the Hostry.
 
WessexCathedralLibrary450The Royal Party also visited the Song School where choristers from the Cathedral Choir were rehearsing and the Education Room being used by pupils from a local school.

Dean of Norwich Cathedral, Revd Canon Jane Hedges, said: “It was very nice to meet the Earl again, as we had previously met in London, and we discussed the contrast between Norwich and London and how much I enjoyed being here.

“He was tremendously engaged with the Horstead Centre and then the school. He really enjoyed meeting the children. But the really impressive thing is that they were running behind time but it didn’t seem to hurry him – he still gave everyone his absolute attention and showed great interest in the books that had been put out in the library, and actually meeting the sixth formers that were there. Again going to see the choir he heard them sing but he didn’t just do that – he stopped and spoke to them and was interested in the girls and boys singing together and asked which ones had been in the choir longest. And then going on into our own education centre and meeting the children and talking to them as they were doing their activities.

“I think everyone he met today will have been tremendously touched by the genuine interest he showed. I think he would have liked to have come into the Cathedral but there wasn’t time for that so I hope he’ll come again!"
 
Before leaving His Royal Highness signed the visitor’s book.
 
Pictured above, Prince Edward listens to the Cathedral Choir and chats with students in the Norwich Cathedral library.
 
Pictures courtesy of www.cathedral.org.uk


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