The Countess of Wessex chats to pupils at Sark School yesterday. (0801432)
TOURISTS were given a lucky treat when the royal couple arrived in Sark yesterday.
After a quick trip to Herm, the Earl and Countess of Wessex arrived by boat and were given a ride in the traditional ‘toast rack’ to the top of Harbour Hill to meet many of the island’s residents.
Tourist Franny Currie, 14, who had been waiting with her family to see the couple, got an unexpected surprise.
Together with her cousins, who were on holiday from Oxford, she got the chance to say hello.
Both Prince Edward and Sophie asked her where they were all from and whether they were enjoying their holiday.
‘I was very excited. I’ve never met a member of the royal family before. It was great, I didn’t expect him to speak to me,’ she said.
Her brother, Hamish, 12, said Prince Edward had asked him whether he liked exploring on the island.
Their mother, Jane, was very complimentary.
‘I think their patience and friendliness is outstanding. I really take my hat off to them,’ she said.
‘They work exceptionally hard and they carry it off with dignity and integrity.’
The couple then enjoyed a ride in a wagonette to Sark School, where they were given a tour around the building and met many of the children.
Sophie was presented with a posy by eight-year-old Sam Shuker, and chatted with Iona Bieley, 5, and Freya Lalor, 4.
Teacher Deborah Bowers said the children had been very excited to meet her.
‘She was charming and very relaxed with the children. They really responded to her.’
The couple then met some of the island’s older residents, including Werner Rang, 89, who, as part of the occupying forces, met his wife, Phyllis, 84, during the war.
‘Sophie was delightful. We were very impressed by them both,’ he said.
He added that he had met the Queen three times and was surprised to have been recognised the second time.
Prince Edward and Sophie then made a trip to La Seigneurie and the adjoining gardens, and unveiled a plaque to commemorate their visit at the newly-opened tearooms.
Director of gardens Charles Maitland, who showed the couple the garden’s colourful array of flowers, said that they had thoroughly enjoyed the visit.
‘I think they were suitably impressed with the vegetable garden.
‘They were very informal.’
Mr Maitland admitted that although he had not been nervous about meeting them, he was concerned about getting the cafe together in time.
Sophie also had a walk in the maze, but she lost her way and had to be helped out by the Seigneur, Michael Beaumont.
The couple finished off their visit by meeting the island’s firefighters and waved their goodbyes to onlookers, many of whom were waving flags as the Royal helicopter made a noisy exit.
Article posted on 8th July, 2009 - 11.30am
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