Prince's royal welcome
8:10am Wednesday 1st October 2008 in Video By Saiqa Chaudhari
IT was a cold and miserable day — but a royal visitor to Bolton received the warmest of Lancashire welcomes when he dropped in for the afternoon.
The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, gave the royal seal of approval to the University of Bolton’s multi-million pound Social Learning Zone and Students’ Union.
He then followed in his mother’s footsteps by unveiling a commemorative plaque at the revamped Market Place shopping centre, originally opened by The Queen in 1988. Both events were hailed as successes by those involved.
The prince arrived at the university in a silver BMW after flying into Manchester Airport.
Nearly 200 guests were invited to the official opening of the £2.5 million centre, which offers a modern environment for students to discuss studies using the library and computer facilities.
The crowd also witnessed the opening of the university’s £1 million campus in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, via satellite link.
Students and lecturers were eager to show off their work and departments and were thrilled when The prince stopped to talk to them before unveiling a plaque.
