The Earl and Countess of Wessex in Essex

Prince Edwards celebrated his birthday in Essex alongside his wife, The Countess of Wessex. The couple visited Foulness, Mersea Islands and Tiptree where they met with students and members of the local community. They first visited the Heritage Center in Foulness before travelling onto West Mersea where they stopped by the Mersea Island Community Center, Company Shed and West Mersea Yacht Club.

At the Mersea Island Community Center their Royal Highnesses met with schoolchildren and members of the community who gave them a warm welcome. Members of the public came ready to celebrate Prince Edwards 56th birthday with cards and banners, even singing Happy Birthday to the 56 year old Prince.

The Company Shed is well known for its fresh seafood and endorsements from journalist, Jay Ryanor and Chef, Jamie Oliver. They continued on to Mersea Yacht Club which hosts a full racing and cruising programme throughout the season and helps manage Mersea Week every August.

The visit concluded with a trip to Wilkin & Sons in Tiptree. The Earl and Countess of Wessex toured the farm to learn about farm to factory production. Wilkin & Sons has farmed unusual fruits, which include medlars, mulberries and quince, in Tiptree for nearly three hundred years.

The Tiptree Jam Bakery continued the Birthday celebrations for the Prince with a specially made cake. Prince Edward was heard joking about how he appreciated them not putting 56 candles atop the cake and Sophie joined the rest of the guests in singing a final Happy Birthday to her husband.

The Countess of Wessex was forced to pull out of another Royal Engagement this week due to illness (not Covid-19). Many Royal Families are electing to pull out of events in the coming weeks due to concerns about Coronavirus so it is, at present, unclear when the next Royal engagement will be. xx