ROYALTY came to Redbridge yesterday.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent was taken on a tour of three of the borough’s proudest projects on Tuesday (February 21) along with Mayor Cllr Gurdial Bhamra, council leader Cllr Jas Athwal and chief executive Andy Donald.

First Prince Edward visited Redbridge’s Welcome Centre in St Mary’s Road where he spoke to volunteers and ex-rough sleepers about the work done there.

The centre is the first port of call for homeless people in the borough and offers shelter, support and healthcare to as many as 50 people a day.

Director Phil Herbert said: “We are absolutely delighted that HRH has decided to visit us to see our work helping the homeless first hand.

“In 2013 we were honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, so now we feel very privileged to be receiving this Royal visit.”

Next stop on the Prince’s tour was Redbridge College in Barley Lane, where he enjoyed hearing students perform in preparation for the Mayor’s Educational Conference at City Hall later this year.

He also took a tour of the college’s new Box Theatre before sitting down for lunch with business, council and college leaders.

Group principal and CEO Gerry McDonald said: “It’s a great honour a member of the Royal family is visiting us and a wonderful experience for our students to be given the opportunity to showcase their talents and ambitions.”

When lunch was over His Royal Highness was taken to see how Transport for London (TfL)’s work on building the Elizabeth Line is going.

After speaking to TfL staff he was given a test run of its Crossrail train simulator at the Ilford depot in Redbridge.

Elizabeth Line operations director Howard Smith said: “This is going to transform the lives of people living in Redbridge and beyond with the first new trains entering service from May this year.

“Having the simulator in Ilford to get our drivers ready is a great advantage and will ensure they are fully familiar with the train and the route even before the first trains arrive.”

Redbridge Mayor Cllr Bhamra was delighted to have been able to showcase the best of the borough.

He said: “It’s very exciting to have HRH visit Redbridge, it truly shows that the reputation of the borough is spreading.

“This visit is an important way to showcase how we assist residents in need, how we educate and ensure growth in our community; and also how Redbridge is playing a crucial role in the Elizabeth line, which has been named after The Duke’s cousin Queen Elizabeth”