THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE AND COUNTESS OF B.C. VISIT VICTORIA - Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex were in British Columbia for a working visit Sept. 12 – 16, 2014. While in British Columbia, Their Royal Highnesses participated in various events with the ’s Awards and a wide cross section of community organizations.

Their Royal Highnesses began their visit in Victoria with a public arrival at Government House on Friday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. His Royal Highness reviewed a Guard of Honour from the Royal Canadian Navy. Members of the public were able to view the arrival ceremony in front of Government House. That evening, Their Royal Highnesses attended a welcome reception hosted by the Lieutenant Governor.

On Sept. 13, The Earl attended events with the Royal Canadian Navy and then presented young people with their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award during a ceremony at Government House. The Countess visited Jeneece Place, Our Place Shelter, and the University of Victoria. The Lieutenant Governor hosted a dinner that evening for Their Royal Highnesses and First Nations leaders.

On Sept. 14, Their Royal Highnesses traveled to Vancouver where The Earl attended a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award luncheon and toured the Vancouver Art Gallery, while The Countess visited the Rick Hansen Institute. That evening, Their Royal Highnesses walked a portion of the Trans Canada Trail in Capilano and then attend a reception to thank volunteers.

On Sept. 15, Their Royal Highnesses traveled to Ditidaht First Nation on Vancouver Island to

September 15, 2014 officially open a new library as part of the Lieutenant Governor’s Write to Read Project. Following the library opening they visited the ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay for an intimate tour of U’mista, meeting and talking with residential school survivors, and a cultural celebration at the Big House hosted by the T’lisalagilakw School.

On Sept. 16, Their Royal Highnesses travelled to Kelowna where The Countess presented young people with their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards at Mission Hill Winery. The Earl, accompanied by Premier Christy Clark, visited the Kelowna Regional Forest Fire First Royal Visit Responders. The final event of Their Royal Highnesses’ visit to British Columbia was a dinner in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Charter for Business.

The Lieutenant Governor accompanied Their Royal Highnesses to most of the visit events.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the events to make this a memorable visit for all!

September 15, 2014

The was born on 10 March 1964 at , the third son and fourth and youngest child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. Baptised Edward Antony Richard Louis in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle, His Royal Highness was known as Prince Edward until his marriage in 1999, when he became The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. The last person known as 'Earl of Wessex' was Harold God- winson, prior to his accession to the English throne as King Harold II in 1066. The Earl of Wessex carries out a full schedule of royal duties on behalf of The Queen. His Royal Highness is involved with 79 organizations and holds 8 military appointments. Countess of Wessex- Her Royal Highness was born Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1965 in Oxford. After working in public relations for over a decade, in 1999 Miss Rhys-Jones married The Earl of Wessex in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. As The Countess of Wessex, Her Royal Highness acts in support of The Queen and of her husband in his roles, and undertakes public duties for a large number of her own charities. The Countess is particularly involved with charities relating to children, disabilities and communication problems.

Photos—Heather Nelson-Smith *front page HELLO Magazine