The Countess of Wessex carried out her first public engagement this week, since the funeral of her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II.
Sophie visited the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) at MOD Lyneham, Wiltshire. She was there as their new Colonel-in-Chief, a role she took over from her late father-in-law, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Sophie visited the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. (Royal Family)
The Countess took the opportunity to meet officers and soldiers at the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (DSEME) and School of Army Aeronautical Engineering (SAAE), where she was introduced to some of the REME trades being taught on site.
The mother-of-two observed a vehicle recovery exercise on the training area and a demonstration of how a vehicle is repaired post recovery.
HRH took over the role as Colonel-in-Chief from Prince Philip. (Royal Family).
This was shortly followed by a display at 5 Force Support Battalion REME on how the technical training taught is used in operational effect in the Field Army, including a 3D printing process to make functional components.
HRH unveiled a plaque announcing a new name for the REME technical workshops and offices of 5 FS Bn REME to ‘The Countess of Wessex Lines’.
Sophie unveiled a plaque announcing a new name for the REME technical workshops. (Royal Family).
Colonel Jason Phillips ADC, Colonel REME said: ‘It was a great honour to welcome our Colonel-in-Chief, HRH The Countess of Wessex, for her first visit to Lyneham. This has been a truly special day for the many members of the REME Family who met with and talked to HRH. She saw everything from recovery training to avionics repair and additive manufacturing’.
Lieutenant Colonel Edward Wigmore, Commanding Officer, 5 Force Support (FS) Battalion REME, said: ‘Today we’ve been extremely lucky to welcome Her Royal Highness to the Battalion where we’ve demonstrated our peoples’ unique and specialist capabilities. The visit culminated with HRH naming our new home ‘The Countess of Wessex Lines’ and completes our unit move to MOD Lyneham, the home of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers’.
