PRINCE William was greeted by hundreds of well-wishers and SAS soldiers as he attended a Hereford Cathedral service today.
The Duke of Cambridge caused a stir in the city as he arrived for a private service attended by 600 people, including members of the SAS and local dignitaries.
The event was organised to put the seal on a £1 million window dedicated to the military regiment, which officially opened in April.
Picture by Chris Draper, Hereford Times Camera Club
Speculation over who was attending the cathedral was rife after a heavy police presence in the area appeared yesterday with sniffer dogs checking the drains and a drone flying over the cathedral.
Hereford Cathedral Dean, The Very Reverend Michael Tavinor said that the event was arranged in partnership with the cathedral and SAS to celebrate the ‘Ascension’ window which includes 3,000 pieces of European glass in 40 different colours.
Created by the world-renowned sculptor John Main, the base of the stone sculpture includes the famous SAS motto of Who Dares Wins, together with the SAS regimental badge.
Picture by Chris Draper, Hereford Times Camera Club
"The service was for members of the SAS regiment and people who had generously supported the window," said Revd Tavinor.
"It was a great event and I understand he (William) had been to the cathedral before when he was three years old with his parents for a wedding. He loved the window and all the cathedral are doing.
"Ascension has been placed in this cathedral church because Hereford is the home of the Special Air Service, and the people of this city and county are proud of their association with it.
Picture by Sh Low via Facebook
"William spent a lot of time talking to the SAS members and the team responsible for the window. It has been a great day not just for Hereford not just the cathedral and the regiment but for the city and the county."
Picture by Law McNair via Facebook
After the service Prince William took time to greet the crowd who had waited in Cathedral Close for him which included included a refugee from Syria and a visitor from Australia.
Children from Hereford Cathedral School also greeted the Prince on his arrival to the cathedral along with around 200 well-wishers.
Fences, decorated with bunting, were also erected in parts of Cathedral Close to shut the area off from the public.
Work stopped at our Hereford site today for an hour whilst there was a royal visit from Prince William today. pic.twitter.com/RxO2X1c6oF
— Evora Construction (@Evora09) October 17, 2017
#viewfromtheoffice Only saw Prince William rock up for a Military Service at Hereford Cathedral today pic.twitter.com/GEE66TZS9D
— Andy Jarrett (@AndyJarrett3) October 17, 2017
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