Prince Edward has visited Canterbury to look at work on the building of the new Marlowe Theatre.

The Queen’s third son and the seventh in line to the British throne is a patron of the new theatre and was given a tour of the building on Monday.

Dressed in a dark blue pinstripe suit, he was shown the inside of the £25 million building before being taken on to The Friars bridge to be shown some of its external features.

The prince, who is also the Earl of Wessex, chatted to those involved in the project including architect Keith Williams and Janice McGuinness, the head of culture at Canterbury City Council which owns the theatre.

He said: “It’s great to see the design team’s ideas becoming a reality. I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen today and look forward with eager anticipation to the finished theatre.

“I congratulate the community that work together to create a wonderful project such as this.

“These are difficult times but once it is built the new Marlowe Theatre will be of enormous benefit, not only to Canterbury, but also to the rest of the region.”

After his tour the Prince went go to King’s School for a reception where he met New Marlowe Theatre Development Trust board members and other invited guests.

The previous Marlowe Theatre – the former Odeon Cinema – closed in March 2009 and was subsequently demolished to make way for its replacement.

The new Marlowe will have 1,200 seats as opposed to the previous figure of 993, a bar on each of its three floors and a second auditorium where people can watch community and educational productions or take part in workshops and other creative activities.

The Marlowe is due to reopen in October with a gala production, which Canterbury City Council will announce on February 28.

See more pictures in this Thursday's Kentish Gazette.