News
HRH visits Alnwick Castle in Northumberland
22nd September 2007
The Prince of Wales visited Alnwick Castle in Northumberland today to open the second phase of the castle’s famous garden, present The Queen’s Own Yeomanry with its first Guidon, and meet supporters of The Prince's Trust in the North East.
For his first engagement of the day, His Royal Highness presented The Queen's Own Yeomanry regiment with its first Guidon, a consecrated flag similar to the Colours and Standards carried by other Army regiments, at a colourful military ceremony at Alnwick Castle, the home of The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland.
The Prince is Honorary Colonel of The Queen's Own Yeomanry which was formed in 1971 from five yeomanry regiments. It is the country's only territorial armoured reconnaissance regiment.
The Guidon, which is awarded by The Queen, is a flag of crimson silk damask embroidered and fringed with gold with the Regimental Battle Honours emblazoned upon it and the Regimental emblem embroidered in the centre.
The Prince received the regiment's salute during an hour-long ceremony in the grounds of the castle during which His Royal Highness presented Operational Telic medals to two soldiers for their service in Iraq.
The medals were given to Lieutenant Alex Siddell, from Girvan, in Ayrshire, and Corporal Simon Steele, from Hamilton, in Lanarkshire who has since transferred to the regular Army with The Queen's Royal Lancers.
Later in the day, The Prince opened the second phase of the Alnwick Garden, one of the most exciting contemporary gardens to be developed in the last century.
The Duchess of Northumberland’s vision was to create a beautiful public space accessible to everyone; a garden for contemplation, fun, inspiration and education.
His Royal Highness opened the first phase in October 2002.
Today he toured the second phase of the project, which also contains the world's largest wooden tree house, a unique set of water sculptures that combine physics with the arts and an imposing pavilion designed by architect Sir Michael Hopkins.
He was given a guided tour by The Duchess of Northumberland, who has driven the restoration of the gardens.
The Alnwick Garden attracts over 600,000 visitors each year, despite being only two thirds complete. The garden has cost £35.1 million to construct, of which £16.6 million has been raised through public bodies.
The second phase of The Alnwick Garden encompassed five major construction projects. These included the world’s largest wooden tree house; the UK’s only public poison garden, which grows plants such as cannabis and coca under lock and key; a unique set of water sculptures that combines physics with the arts; an imposing pavilion designed by renowned architect Sir Michael Hopkins; and a much-needed car park.
During his day at Alnwick Castle, The Prince met volunteers and supporters of The Prince's Trust (North-East Region) who have organised The Prince’s Trust Challenge Trophy.
David Beavis, the North-East Regional Director of The Trust, and Caroline Richards, who is responsible for fund-raising in the North-East, introduced His Royal Highness to the team who have helped to organise the Challenge Trophy which is a series of four sporting events – a golf day (which took place in July), a cricket match (held in early September at Durham County Cricket Club), a clay shoot (to be held on 24th September at Mitford Hall) and a football match (being held at St James’s Park on 14th October).
All the events are designed to raise funds and the profile of The Trust’s work in the North-East Region. This year The Prince’s Trust North-East Region aims to support 4,000 young people.
Click here to find out more about Alnwick Garden.
Click here to visit The Prince's Trust website and here to find out more about The Prince's Trust Challenge Trophy.