Duke of Edinburgh uses a power drill during his visit to Farnham Riverside
The Duke of Edinburgh showed he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty yesterday during a visit to Farnham Riverside in Surrey, where he was put to work.
Prince Edward, 59, was photographed enjoying tea, as well as talking to local members of the community and even putting his DIY skills to the test while showing off his handiwork with a drill.
The royal, who received his new title of Duke of Edinburgh earlier this month on his 59th birthday, also planted the 70th tree on Farnham’s new Jubilee Walk in commemoration of the 70th reign of his late mother, the Queen Isabel.
On his arrival in the morning, Edward met with Farnham Town Clerk Iain Lynch and Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Michael More Molyneux.
Throughout the day, he met with representatives of various organizations, including the Tice Meadow Bird Group, where he joined volunteers in making boxes for swift birds.
The Duke of Edinburgh (pictured) looks beaming during a royal visit to Farnham Riverside in Surrey
He also spoke with representatives from the Farnham Biodiversity Group, the Farnham Rivers Group and the Bourne Conservation Group.
Also meeting the Duke was the team behind Men in Sheds, who also showcased their woodworking skills and talked about some of their community projects.
Among his other commitments, Edward met two children from the Ukraine who have spent two years living locally.
He also chatted with schoolchildren from Badshot Lea Nursery School, who showed him insect hotels they had been working on.
And she met volunteers from Farnham’s community welfare garden, Space2Grow, and local pupils taking part in Heath End’s ‘wellness intervention’, and her support dog Tuppy.
Perhaps one of the most moving moments of the royal engagement came when the duke planted tree number 70 on Queen’s Green Canopy Avenue.
Community representatives planted more trees, including centenarian Mr. Frank Rhodes, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Herald chief content officer Daniel Gee, and Brightwells Tennis Club.
As well as commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year on the throne with the plant, Edward also unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the new Farnham’s 70 for Jubilee Walk.
In between their appointments during their visit to Farnham Riverside, the royals (pictured right) met with locals.
Get stuck! Prince Edward (pictured, center) showed he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty and showed off his skills with power tools.
Good cheer: The royals seemed to be enjoying their chats with locals during the busy date in Surrey
Leaving Farnham Riverside, the Duke received three cheers, led by Farnham Mayor Councilor Alan Earwaker.
Prince Edward and his wife Sofia were crowned Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh on March 10, Edward’s 59th birthday.
Sophie’s previous rank as Countess of Wessex meant that she held the same rank as her husband Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex.
This rise in royal status for 58-year-old Sophie is a touching tribute to the late Queen’s daughter-in-law, who affectionately called her ‘Mum’.
The couple’s new titles of duke and duchess are of a higher rank, raising them in status to just below the monarch. Duchesses are also known as Her Royal Highness.
The Duke was photographed chatting with local school children who showed him some of their work.
And he enjoyed a cup of tea while chatting with volunteers from Farnham’s community welfare garden, Space2Grow.
The busy day saw Prince Edward (pictured) taking part in a number of activities, from using a power drill to planting a tree.
Prince Edward planted the 70th Queen’s Green Canopy Tree, marking his mother’s historic 70-year reign.
Meanwhile, the title of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh is one of the oldest in the Royal Family.
Following the news that the couple had been given the new titles, Sophie’s friends said she is “relieved” that her rise through the royal ranks means she no longer needs to curtsy to Meghan Markle.
Previously, Sophie had a duty to defer to Prince Harry’s wife, who, as a duchess, had a higher rank.
Relations between the royal wives are said to have been strained when the Duchess of Sussex reportedly turned down the chance to be mentored by Sophie in royal life.
A friend of the couple said: ‘Sophie is relieved. No longer does she have to curtsy to someone in the family who has not only left her royal duties, but has spent the last three years criticizing the institution that Sophie works so hard to maintain.