Royal supporters were out in force in Burton yesterday when Prince Edward paid a visit to the town.
The Earl of Wessex's packed agenda began with his arrival at Burton College, where he opened its new £5m university centre.
To cries of "We want Eddie", the prince got out of his car and immediately went over to the waiting crowd of students, staff and residents.
More than 300 people had gathered to see him.
Health and social care tutor Lesley Smith added: "It is a really proud moment for all of us and the college."
One of Prince Edward's first duties at the college was to pose for a photograph, sitting on a bench that was first unveiled to commemorate his last visit in 2003.
The prince was joined on the stainless steel bench by the college's longest-serving employee, cleaner Pat Allen, 67, and recent graduate and college lecturer Anne Strong.
Mrs Allen said: "It was nice to see him in real life but I was quite nervous.
But he seemed very interested in who we were."
Miss Strong said: "It was a real privilege to meet him."
The new university centre was the idea of college principal Keith Norris, who was delighted to meet the prince.
Edward was shown some of the college's manufacturing areas, which have been designed to imitate production lines and enable students to learn how to operate them.
JCB employees Neil Cadman and Stuart Wroughton spent several minutes talking to the prince about the time and motion study on which they are working during their day-release sessions.
Mr Wroughton said: "He asked what we are studying and seemed genuinely interested in the process we described."
More than 100 dignitaries, including representatives from Staffordshire County Council and East Staffordshire Borough Council, gathered in the building's new lecture theatre to see the royal visitor unveil a plaque commemorating the building's opening.
The prince said: "It is a great privilege to be invited back to the college and to see how it has developed since I was last here.
"I congratulate you on your latest progress."
After signing the visitors' book, Prince Edward left for his next engagement at Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium.
There he met chairman and owner Ben Robinson before touring the club's Playing for Success scheme, which helps local schoolchildren with their computing skills after school.
Fourteen-year-old Robbi Smith was rewarded for his achievements by being personally presented with a certificate by the prince.
Prince Edward also met with club manager Nigel Clough and watched a display of young footballers in action from the Football in the Community Scheme, together with Burton Albion players.
Pupils from Bladon House School, Abbots Bromley School for Girls, Robert Sutton Catholic High School, Paget High School, both in Burton and Thomas Alleyne's High School, in Uttoxeter, also demonstrated skills they gained on the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme at the ground.
Lunch took place at the stadium. Food was provided for the prince and 45 invited guests by Burton College catering students, under the supervision of Sean Sleigh and Dawn Bullock, together with Burton Albion chef Nick Poxon.
A packed afternoon saw the prince also travel to the town's Brewhouse Arts Centre and the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas.
Burton College students performed both dance and drama works for the prince. During his visit to the arboretum,
Edward laid a wreath as part of Remembrance Week at the front of the new Armed Forces Memorial.
