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Newham Council arranged a right royal welcome for His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales when he visited the East London borough on Friday – the day of his 60th birthday.
Children from Winsor Primary School wished him many happy returns as he visited some of the Prince’s Trust youth projects that take place in Beckton.
The visit heralded the Trust’s Youth Week, which begins on Saturday to tackle negative perceptions of young people and encourages them to seek help from organisations like the Prince’s Trust.
The elected Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales and Deputy Mayor Cllr Christine Bowden greeted Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall as they arrived at the Stroud Pavilion in New Beckton Park.
Their Royal Highnesses met young people from Newham College who have been taking part in a Prince’s Trust project to paint a Newham Unite The World mural inside the pavilion. They also spoke to others who have been taking part in gardening and planting projects.
The royal couple then made a short journey to the council’s Beckton Community Centre in Woolwich Manor Way where they were introduced to people from the different community groups that use the centre.
They also took part in a discussion group with other college youngsters and mentors who have taken part in Prince’s Youth Trust projects and work placements at the centre.
As Their Royal Highnesses left the centre the Duchess was presented with a posy by Winsor School pupil Caitlin Bernstein, eight. Fellow pupil Jeffrey Ehigie, eight, presented the Prince with a book of images of Newham.
Mayor Sir Robin Wales: “Not only was this a great way to wish the Prince of Wales a happy birthday, it was an opportunity to show the diversity that makes Newham such a marvellous place.
“Our borough has one of the youngest populations and this was a great showcase for some of the positive contributions that young people make here. The relationship between the council and The Prince’s Trust is a really positive one.”
The Prince’s Trust have been operating at the Beckton Community Centre for three years.
Among VIPs who were at the centre to meet Their Royal Highnesses were council chief executive Joe Duckworth, Beckton ward councillors Ayesha Chowdhury and Alec Kellaway, Beckton community lead councillor Pat Murphy and Cllr Jo Corbett, executive member for culture.
The Mayor added: ”We are delighted that Their Royal Highnesses were able to come to a centre that is thriving, open and inclusive and has increased community engagement in the area substantially.”
For more pictures view our special Royal Birthday gallery
