Getting stuck in! Duke of Edinburgh shows off his DIY skills as he uses a power drill and plants a tree during a visit to Farnham Riverside
- Prince Edward, 59, visited Farnham Riverside to meet local community members
- READ MORE: Sophie Wessex heads out in the late Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage as Prince Andrew is joined by Prince Edward on his weekly Windsor horse-riding trip
The Duke of Edinburgh showed he is not afraid to get his hands dirty during a visit to Farnham Riverside in Surrey yesterday, where he was snapped being put to work.
Prince Edward, 59, was photographed enjoying tea, as well as speaking with local members of the community and even putting his DIY skills to the test as he showed off his handiwork using a drill.
The royal, who received his new Duke of Edinburgh title earlier this month on his 59th birthday, also planted the 70th tree in Farnham’s new Jubilee Walk in commemoration of his late mother Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign.
Upon his arrival in the morning, Edward met with Farnham town clerk, Iain Lynch and His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, Michael More Molyneux.
Throughout the day, he went on to meet representatives from a number of organisations including the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group, where he joined volunteers in making swift bird boxes.
The Duke of Edinburgh (pictured) is snapped beaming during a royal visit to Farnham Riverside in Surrey
He also spoke with reps from the Farnham Biodiversity Group, the Farnham Rivers Group and the Bourne Conservation Group.
Also meeting with the Duke was the team behind Men in Sheds, who showcased their woodworking skills as well, and they discussed some of their community projects.
Among his other engagements, Edward met two children from Ukraine who have spent two years living locally.
He also chatted with school children from Badshot Lea Infant School, who showed him bug hotels they had been working on.
And he met volunteers from Farnham’s community well-being garden, Space2Grow, and local pupils taking part in the Heath End ‘well-being intervention’, and their support dog Tuppy.
Perhaps one of the most poignant moments of the royal engagement came as the Duke planted the 70th tree in the Queen’s Green Canopy avenue.
Further trees were planted by community reps including Centenarian Mr Frank Rhodes, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Herald head of content Daniel Gee, and the Brightwells Tennis Club.
As well as commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne with the plant, Edward also unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the new Farnham’s 70 for Jubilee Walk.
Among his appointments during his visit to Farnham Riverside, the royal (pictured, right) met with local people
Getting stuck in! Prince Edward (pictured, centre) showed that he is not afraid to get his hands dirty, and showed off his skills with power tools
Good spirits: the royal seemed to be enjoying his conversations with locals during the busy appointment in Surrey
Upon leaving Farnham Riverside, the Duke was given three cheers, led by the mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie were granted the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh titles on March 10, Edward’s 59th birthday.
Sophie’s previous rank as Countess of Wessex, meant she was of an equal rank with her husband Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex.
This raise in royal status for Sophie, 58, is a touching tribute to the late Queen’s daughter-in-law who lovingly called her ‘mama’.
The couple’s new titles of Duke and Duchess are of a higher rank, elevating them in status to just below the monarch. Duchesses are also referred to as Her Royal Highness.
The Duke was snapped chatting with local school children who showed him some of their handiwork
And he enjoyed a cuppa while chatting with volunteers from Farnham’s community well-being garden Space2Grow
The packed day saw Prince Edward (pictured) engaging in a number of activities from using a power drill to planting a tree
Prince Edward planted the 70th tree in the Queen’s Green Canopy avenue, marking his mother’s historic 70-year reign
Meanwhile, the title of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh is one of the most senior in the Royal Family.
Following news that the couple had been given the new titles, friends of Sophie claimed she is ‘relieved’ that her move up the royal ranks means she no longer needs to curtsey to Meghan Markle.
Sophie had previously been duty-bound to defer to Prince Harry’s wife who, as a Duchess, was of a higher rank.
Relations between the royal wives were said to have become strained when the Duchess of Sussex reportedly turned down the chance to have Sophie mentor her on life as a royal.
A friend of the couple said: ‘Sophie is relieved. She no longer has to curtsey to someone in the family who has not only left Royal duties but has spent the past three years criticising the institution that Sophie works so hard to support.’
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