Prince Edward greets Taunton locals at Castle Green

Prince Edward mingled with Taunton locals today when he officially opened the Museum of Somerset.

His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex, arrived in Taunton at 11.40am where he greeted and introduced himself to community groups, museum staff and members of the community.

After speaking to Taunton locals the Prince made his way through the Castle's courtyard into the Museum of Somerset where he was taken on a guided tour, exploring all the museum has to offer.

Children from Holy Trinity Primary School in Taunton were inside the museum waiting to meet Prince Edward by the giant Low Ham Mosaic, wearing Roman robes and bright nervous smiles.

The children were meant to have a day off school but chose to spend their day off representing the school for the Royal visit.

Isabelle Talbot, nine, from Holy Trinity said she was getting very nervous before meeting The Earl of Wessex.

She said: "It was nerve-racking because he's very important and he's very Royal.

"He was really nice and funny when I met him. He made a joke about us being the teachers today!

"I think it was a real honour to meet him and I might not get to ever again, I really enjoyed it!"

After speaking to the children, Prince Edward continued on a private educational tour of the museum where he met volunteers, contractors, staff and key groups who were involved in the £7 million project.

Prince Edward ate lunch at the museum and afterwards he unveiled a plaque marking the occasion and signed the visitors book, speaking to the crowd as he did so:

"The museum is a wonderful place and I am very pleased to declare it officially open."

He then joked: "Although I am aware it has already been open for a year - I'm not quite sure what went on there! But now it is officially open."

The Earl then continued his journey of meeting and greeting the mass gathering of locals, ending up at the new illuminated glass bridge linking Castle Green with Gooland Gardens, where he met students from Taunton Preparatory school and cut a large shiny ribbon declaring Castle Green officially open.

The young and excitable students then had the opportunity to walk, or rather run, across the spectacular glass bridge for the first time.

Mary Cross travelled from Chard to see the Royal Prince and waited three hours to get a glimpse of him.

She said: "I already have pictures of Princess Margaret and Princess Diana in Taunton so I came here specially to see Prince Edward and take a picture.

"What they've done with Castle Green and the Museum is wonderful, certainly fit for Royalty in my opinion,

"I was a little bit disappointed at the turnout – I think more local people should respect occasions like this and turn up to see when Royalty comes to the town."

The Mayor of Taunton, Terry Hall, was with Prince Edward when he cut the Ribbon on the glass bridge and described it as a "wonderful" occasion:

"It has been a wonderful day and it is very exciting to have Prince Edward here in Taunton to mark the finished works at Castle Green.

"I think the Prince was very impressed with the regeneration and the wonderful facilities that we can now offer here."

See Taunton People's picture galleries of Prince Edward's visit here and here.

What did you think of Taunton's Royal visit? Post below and let us know.