The Queen and the Duchess of Sussex visited Cheshire for a day of engagements, including the opening of the Mersey Gateway Bridge and Storyhouse in Chester, on June 14th. This is the Duchess’ first engagement without Prince Harry, coming less than a month after their wedding.
The Duchess of Sussex arrives in Cheshire, where she is accompanying Her Majesty The Queen for a day of engagements today #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/tHXPeN3nL5
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2018
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The Duchess of Sussex arrives in Cheshire, where she is accompanying Her Majesty The Queen for a day of engagements today #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/tHXPeN3nL5
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2018The Queen and Duchess travelled through the night from London on the Royal Train, arriving at Runcorn Station before making their way towards the Mersey Gateway Bridge. On arrival, they were introduced to architects, planners and community representatives before viewing the bridge and watching a performance by local school children called ‘Bringing Communities Together: Halton’s river crossings over the ages.’ Upon conclusion, the Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the bridge.
The Queen and The Duchess move into the @storyhouselive to formally open the building. @Storyhouselive is a library, theatre and cinema. #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/4TBZrKu5D6
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 14, 2018
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The Queen and The Duchess move into the @storyhouselive to formally open the building. @Storyhouselive is a library, theatre and cinema. #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/4TBZrKu5D6
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 14, 2018In the main floor at @Storyhouselive, The Queen and The Duchess of Sussex sit to view a performance of ‘Drop in the Ocean’. #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/z4G9WgPRTC
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2018
In the main floor at @Storyhouselive, The Queen and The Duchess of Sussex sit to view a performance of ‘Drop in the Ocean’. #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/z4G9WgPRTC
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2018Next, the Queen and Duchess of Sussex visited the Storyhouse in Chester, where they were taken on a tour of the building to visit the children’s library, stopping to meet a Syrian settlement group engaged in craft work. They watched a performance by ‘Fallen Angels’, a dance theatre company for people in recovery from addiction, before moving to the theatre to see a medley of songs from Storyhouse’s latest production, ‘A Little Night Music.’ On the ground floor, they also saw schoolchildren from local primary schools perform songs alongside actors from ‘Swallows and Amazons.’ The Queen then unveil a plague to mark the official opening of Storyhouse.
The Duchess of Sussex joins The Queen for a walkabout to meet members of the public in Chester city centre #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/EQ1Q1izlTI
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2018
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The Duchess of Sussex joins The Queen for a walkabout to meet members of the public in Chester city centre #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/EQ1Q1izlTI
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2018Afterwards, the Queen and Duchess walked to Chester Town Hall where they will attend a lunch as guests of Chester City Council, which marked the conclusion of their visit to Cheshire, meeting members of the public along the way.
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The Queen wore Stewart Parvin outfit with a Rachel Trevor Morgan hat, pairing her customary Three Strand Pearl Necklace with Queen Victoria’s Bow Brooch. The Duchess of Sussex wore Givenchy dress with pearl and diamond earrings (a gift from the Queen).
I think the Queen is so nice to do this for the new members of the family. She did the same for the Duchess of Cambridge back in 2012. I only wish the Duchess of Sussex would wear a hat to these engagements, especially if she’s going to be with the Queen. I object to that much more than her hair being all over the place again. As I understand it, the royal ladies wear hats to these events to support the millinery business in the UK, which the Duchess would be thanked if she did. Other than that, she seems to be adapting very well to royal life!