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Aquariums: Deep Sea World Welcomes The Princess Royal

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Deep Sea World in North Queensferry enjoyed a royal visit as HRH The Princess Royal attended a reception at the award-winning aquarium.

Princess Anne and around 100 invited guests spent more than an hour at Deep Sea World and met members of staff including Park Director Gerry O’Donnell.

The last royal visitor to North Queensferry is thought to have been Queen Victoria more than 160 years ago.

Deep Sea World Park Director, Gerry O’Donnell said: “It goes without saying that it was a tremendous honour to have been able to welcome the Princess Royal to the aquarium.

“Both myself and the entire team here had been nervously looking forward to the visit and it all went extremely well.

“Princess Anne seemed to be genuinely interested in the work we do here at the aquarium and it was a great opportunity to showcase Deep Sea World both to her and the other VIP and dignitaries that attended the reception here, ” he added.

Prior to visiting the aquarium the Princess Royal had officially re-lit the lamp in the Light Tower in North Queensferry. The tiny historic landmark has been restored to its former glory after being out of action for more than 120 years.

HRH The Princess Royal also unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit and accepted a bound copy of local schoolchildren’s artwork from North Queensferry Primary School pupil Georgia White (age 11),   featuring the Lighthouses around Scotland and the Light Tower.

During the private reception at Deep Sea World for those who had been involved in the restoration project, HRH The Princess Royal presented Euan Colston (age 11) with a prize for his winning artwork of the Lighthouse project. 

James Lawson, Chairman of the Trust, then awarded HRH with a Certificate making her an ‘Honorary Keeper of the Light Tower’.

The last Royal visit to North Queensferry was by Queen Victoria and Albert in 1842, when they crossed the Queensferry Passage to the Town Pier. 
 
Issued by Deep Sea World. For more information please contact Paul Francis on 01383 411880 ext 101.

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