Prince welcomed to Kettering Library and Art Gallery for officially opening

His Royal Highness Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester has been welcomed to Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery to mark the official opening of the recently-renovated.

Accompanied by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Saunders Watson, the Duke was welcomed by Cllr Andy Sims, chairman of North Northamptonshire Council, Adele Wylie chief executive of North Northamptonshire Council, mayor of Kettering Cllr Lauren Glanfield and Matt Taylor, heritage manager for North Northamptonshire Council.

As the Duke arrived, the Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets saluted.

Waiting to greet him inside were members of staff from the library and the art gallery.

The Duke’s itinerary included a visit to Northamptonshire Association for the Blind in Northampton and officially opening Northampton School - a Free school off-shoot of Northampton School for Boys located in Thorpeville, near Moulton.

His other official duty will be to open the Alfred East Art Gallery and Kettering Library in Sheep Street following its multi-million-pound renovation and extension.

The Duke of Gloucester is the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin and a full-time working member of the Royal Family.

He attends national and international events in support of The King, as well as undertaking extensive public duties and engagements every year reflecting his own interests and charities including heritage and the built environment.

A trained architect, many of the Duke’s patronages are related to architecture and conservation.