On 8 June, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were in Norwich to visit an exhibition about ‘Norfolk’s Royal Shipwreck’.

The Last Voyage of the Gloucester is currently a major exhibition at Norwich Castle and tells the story of this royal ship which sunk off Gt Yarmouth. The wreckage was recently raised by a local salvage team.

During the visit to Norfolk The Duke and Duchess also attended the Norfolk Club, of which His Majesty the King is a patron, and met with the club’s committee and officers.

As part of the visit, Norwich School pupil, Sophia Molineux (L5), was selected to present the Duchess with a bouquet of flowers; having been known to members of the club for a long time through family connections, she was an obvious choice as flower girl!

Speaking about her experience meeting the VIPs Sophia said:

"I was a bit nervous but they were really easy to talk to, we talked about school, exams and what sports I played and if I liked Norwich School, which I do!  I presented the Duchess with a small bouquet from The Norfolk Club.  I practiced how to curtsey, which I had never done before and how to address the Duchess as Her Royal Highness, at home.  It all went by so quickly but I really enjoyed it and will remember it forever as a wonderful experience I was very lucky to be involved."

Well done Sophia!

With thanks to Luis Holden Photography for permission to use the images.