VIDEO: Royal visitor in Ribble Valley

Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex, who is also President of Girlguiding UK, attended the Commonwealth Chief Commissioners conference at Waddow Hall, near Clitheroe.

Dressed in a royal blue blazer, beige-coloured chiffon skirt and brown shoes, she stepped out of the black Range Rover and was greeted by delegates including Gill Slocombe, Chief Guide of Girlguiding UK, Mr Marshall Scott, chief executive of Ribble Valley Borough Council, Ribble Valley Mayor Coun. Simon Hore and his wife, Grace and the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Mr Peter Mileham and his wife, Shelagh.

The conference has been arranged to allow senior volunteers from the Commonwealth Associations to share experiences and discuss how to best support girls to develop their potential prior to the World Guiding conference, which will take place in Edinburgh next week.

The new Chief Guide for Girlguiding UK, Gill Slocombe, hosted the Countess’ visit as she met senior volunteers from 35 countries, including representatives of the newest Commonwealth association in Rwanda.