13 Mar 2012 Last updated at 00:00

Earl of Wessex to visit the Isle of Wight

The Earl of Wessex is to visit the Isle of Wight on Friday 23 March 2012.

The Earl of Wessex will visit Ryde School to unveil plaques to commemorate the opening of the Bembridge Building and Wessex Quadrangle. He will also tour the school, meeting staff and students.

He will then travel to Ryde Pier – the oldest pier in Britain - to view recent restoration work and to unveil a plaque commemorating 200 years from the Act of Parliament which enabled the start of cross-Solent travel. The Earl will also board a Wightlink catamaran to meet the crew and tour the vessel.

The Earl of Wessex last visited the Isle of Wight in June 2011. He attended the Natwest Island Games and presented the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to three Island organisations at a ceremony held at Carisbrooke Castle Museum.
 

HRH The Earl of Wessex presenting a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to John Hague of Isle of Wight Ramblers during his visit in June 2011
HRH The Earl of Wessex presenting a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to John Hague of Isle of Wight Ramblers during his visit in June 2011
Factfile
  • The Earl of Wessex last visited the Isle of Wight in June 2011.
  • The Queen is to visit the Island on Wednesday 25 July as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour.
 
Ryde Isle of Wight