Royal visit celebrates Exeter Cathedral's successful £8 million fundraising campaign
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are visiting Exeter Cathedral later today for a special thanksgiving service to celebrate the success of its £8 million fundraising campaign. The Prince is Patron of the campaign and visited the Cathedral in 2009 to mark the half way stage. The Duchess of Cornwall joined thousands of other visitors last July to view the ‘Majesty’ Flower Festival as part of the Cathedral’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
During the visit, their Royal Highnesses will be shown some of the treasures of the Cathedral including the now empty historic organ case, whose 4,000 pipes have been taken away for refurbishment, thanks to funds given by Campaign donors. The Prince and The Duchess will also view the historic Exeter Book, a 10th century collection of Anglo Saxon poetry and will meet some of the Cathedral’s senior choristers in the new Boy’s Song School.
The visit to Exeter Cathedral follows a tour around Devon, including an engagement in Braunton to visit businesses affected by recent flooding and where The Prince and The Duchess will meet people from the local community who were affected as well as members of the emergency services who assisted with the clear-up effort.
The Prince of Wales, Admiral of the Fleet, and Commodore-in-Chief, Plymouth Royal Naval Command, will then visit HMS Bulwark at sea and will meet members of the Ship’s Company. His Royal Highness will visit the ship’s Bridge, Operations Room, vehicle deck and landing dock.
Meanwhile The Duchess of Cornwall, Commodore-in-Chief, Royal Naval Medical Services, will visit Hasler Company within HMS Drake, Devonport Naval Base and will meet injured service personnel, their families and members of the Royal Navy Medical Services.
The Prince of Wales accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall, will then attend the Service of Thanksgiving and reception at the Cathedral and view some of the cathedral’s new facilities, rounding off a very busy day.
