Royal approval recalled

NEWS of the birth of a son to the Countess and Earl of Wessex – Sophie and Prince Edward – will have brought back memories of their visit to Southport.
In July 2004, thousands turned out to see the couple spend a day in the resort, climaxing with their opening of the Marine Way Bridge.
Prince Edward began with a tour of the newly opened Eco Centre before moving on to Southport Pier, while Sophie, now 42, started her visit at Parenting 2000’s centre in Mornington Road.
After a lunch hosted by then Mayor and Mayoress of Sefton Cllr David Pearson and his wife Barbara, the Earl and Countess finished their trip at the Botanic Gardens.
Their son has been named James, although he will also take the title Viscount Severn; he joins his one sister, four-year-old Lady Louise Windsor.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, at the opening of the Marine Way Bridge in July 2004. She was joined by then Churchtown Primary pupil Rebecca Petrie, who named the Bridge