On Friday, The Duchess of Gloucester was in her eponymous county, that of Gloucestershire, to formally open two new buildings. During the visit, Birgitte opened the new Creative Arts Building at Marling School in Stroud, as well as Wycliffe College’s new boarding house in Stonehouse.
Marling School is a Grammar School for boys aged between 11 and 18, although they have recently announced that they will admit girls into their Sixth Form as of September 2019. The Duchess was in attendance to open the School’s new Creative Arts Building.
Enjoyed this Royal job today, the Duchess of Gloucester visiting Marling School in Stroud. For… https://t.co/GDy8SMV69b
— paul nicholls (@paulnicholls444) 9 March 2018
Birgitte was accompanied on her visit by the School’s Headteacher, Stuart Wilson, as she was taken on a tour of the new building. During her visit, the Duchess – who is married to The Queen’s cousin, Prince Richard – had the opportunity to speak to both pupils and staff. The royal guest was shown some of the art work and watched a theatre performance which the pupils have been working on throughout their studies.
To mark her visit, the Duchess unveiled a plaque commemorating the official opening of the Creative Arts block.
The Duchess of Gloucester then visited Wycliffe College, which has a Prep School, a Senior School and boarding facilities for its pupils. The college is spread across 52 acres of land near the Gloucestershire town of Stonehouse.
Today we had the pleasure of attending the official Royal opening of the new Ward’s Ivy-Grove House at @WycliffeCollege. We were delighted to meet HRH the Duchess of Gloucester as she officially opened the new accommodation block. https://t.co/IGjKoR3eVH@buttressarchpic.twitter.com/pWf8PgVOck
— E G Carter & Co Ltd (@EGCarterCoLtd) 9 March 2018
Birgitte visited the college to officially open the new Ward’s-Ivy Grove Boarding House; the new facility has three storeys and will be used by members of the Senior School. More than 80 boys and girls are based there and all were given the opportunity to get involved with the royal visit. Half of those students were able to personally speak with the Duchess as she toured the new Boarding House.
The Royal once again unveiled a plaque to mark her visit and the official opening of the boarding facility, and was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by two of the college’s students.
