THE Earl and Countess of Wessex today fulfilled their promise to visit the Hospice in the Weald at Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells. Prince Edward and his wife Sophie spent more than an hour meeting patients and talking to staff and volunteers.

They had originally been due at the hospice last month before attending a gala evening at the opening of the new Judi Dench Theatre at nearby Kent College.

But they abandoned the plans to attend a private lunch engagement in London on the same day - a decision which was seen by some national newspapers as a Royal snub.

There was an especially big moment today for six-year-old Harriet Moth, grand-daughter of hospice worker James Moth, who presented the Countess with a bouquet. She was accompanied by her mother Amber.

The Royal couple were welcomed by Edwin Boorman, deputy lieutenant of Kent and chairman of the Kent Messenger Group.

Among the civic dignitaries who met the Earl and Countess were the Mayor and Mayoress of Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Melvyn and Pamela Howell, hospice chief executive John Ashelford and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council chief executive Rodney Stone.