EXCITED Berkeley Primary School children sang the national anthem as they welcomed the Countess of Wessex to Berkeley Castle. 

The wife of Prince Edward touched down in the castle grounds this afternoon and was greeted by the flag-waving pupils.

She stopped and chatted with several of the children before heading into the castle for a tour.

Headteacher Deborah Marklove said that the visit provided a great opportunity for the children to connect with their town's heritage.

"It was all very top secret," she said. "We didn't know about the visit until the term started last week but it was a great opportunity for us.

"We have lots of links with the castle and their staff and it was a great chance for us to show the children - who are all from Berkeley - a bit about their town's heritage and history.

"Events like these are great for their learning too. They really help throughout all of their lessons and it's a real hands-on opportunity for them.”

The Countess’s visit marked the official opening of the castle’s ‘Hidden Treasures of Berkeley’ exhibition.

Headlining the display will be a highly important gold cup and cover made by Paul de Lamerie in 1717 - the only known surviving piece of gold work bearing de Lamerie’s maker’s mark.  

A nationally important piece, it is usually only displayed at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum but special arrangements have been made to bring the item home to Berkeley Castle for the Hidden Treasures exhibition.

Charles Berkeley expressed his delight at being able to display these items to visitors at the castle.

“We are thrilled to have been able to bring this collection together for our special ‘Hidden Treasures’ exhibition,” he said. “Most of the pieces have scarcely been viewed and have certainly never been brought together for this sort of exhibition before." 

"Berkeley Castle is full of fine art, furniture and furnishings but to be able to display a collection of such impressive and historically important items is a source of pride to me, our family and our team.  We all hope it will prove a sublime treat for our many visitors."

The exhibition will be on display to the public from Sunday to Wednesday throughout September and admission is included within the castle entry fee.

Her visit to the castle was preceded by visits to Marshfield Bakery, the Jessie May Trust and a tour of the National Trust’s Dyrham Park where she signed a slate as part of their £4 million campaign to replace the roof.