THREE Herefordshire enterprises received a royal seal of approval when the Duke of Kent took a whistle stop tour around the county.

A first cousin of the Queen, and a former special representative for international trade and investment, the Duke arrived by helicopter at Prometheus Medical, a leading provider of pre-hospital emergency medical training and equipment at Hope-under-Dinmore.

Accompanied by Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Lady Darnley, he unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit to the enterprise, launched by Dr Malcolm Russell.

Two years ago the business was presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its innovative development of the remarkable Russell Chest Seal which is saving lives around the world.

Dr Russell said it was a “great honour” to receive a visit from the Duke, saying it was a milestone in the business’s evolution. The royal visitor met staff at Prometheus Medical as well as county dignitaries including Lord Lisvane and his wife, recently appointed High Sheriff, Councillor John Stone representing Herefordshire Council chairman Councillor Brian Wilcox and Leominster MP Bill Wiggin.

A signed photograph of the Duke is to be added to a time capsule due to be opened in 100 years. Said Dr Russell: “This is a key day in our history and to mark the event we are planting a two-ton stone on top of a time capsule.” Samples of the business’s groundbreaking medical aids have been added, and staff members each have had a say in what to place inside.

“There’s a card for the person who opens it in 2117,” said Dr Russell. “No doubt they will have a chuckle at the antique, old-fashioned medical equipment!”

In north-west Herefordshire, where royal visits are a rarity, the Duke called in at Kington to be greeted by the Mayor, Councillor Elizabeth Banks and introduced to local craftspeople - as well as the noted 70-acre Hergest Croft Gardens managed by Mrs Banks.

He shook hands with town councillors, including the two deputy mayors Councillor Bob Widdowson and Councillor Martin Fitton, and was invited to plant a magnolia tree in the gardens. Councillor Mrs Banks, an eminent horticulturist, said she was “very proud” when the Duke admired the work of locally-based craftsmen and women including Kington blacksmith Marcus Henke, clog maker Jeremy Atkinson, silkscreen artist Celia Kibblewhite, potter James Burnett-Stuart and Anwar Mahmood and Jackie Staples who run Woodthorpe Preserves.

“He thought they were all terrific,” said Mrs Banks. “It was quite special having a royal visit to Kington and Hergest.”

After lunch the Duke, a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary and a familiar face at Wimbledon where he traditionally presents the winning trophies, arrived at the Whittern farm estate, Lyonshall, run by Mrs Jo Hilditch, recently appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire. Here he was given a tour of the new White Heron Drinks production facilities where Jo’s award-winning premium drinks brand British Cassis is made.

He met representatives of a cross-section of county enterprises including the Orgasmic Cider Company, Edward Bulmer Natural Paints, Herbfarmacy, Tiggs Sauces, Broadfield Wines and Lyonshall marquee company, Burgoynes. Also in attendance was Jo’s husband, Ian Hilditch, who has won three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for international trade.

The Duke was impressed by the level of innovation and diversification that the county’s rural businesses are achieving.

Jo, whose family has owned the estate for four generations, grows 200 acres of fruit at the Whittern including blackcurrants for a soft drinks’ business and cider apples for Bulmers. Her British cassis has proved increasingly popular and her enterprise has featured on TV with the Hairy Bikers and on Countryfile.

“We were delighted to host the Duke during his visit,” said Jo Hilditch. “The breadth and depth of Herefordshire businesses is extremely inspiring.” She said she was “particularly passionate” about representing British business globally, and believed a visit from the Duke was “extremely validating” for these county businesses.