PRINCE Edward had a busy day of meeting, greeting and plaque unveilings when he visited the Salisbury area yesterday.

The Earl of Wessex started his day at Salisbury District Hospital to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Duke of Cornwall spinal treatment centre.

The unit, which was opened in June 1984 by Prince Charles and Princess Diana, serves a population of 11 million people and specialises in caring for people with spinal cord injury.

As well as unveiling a commemorative plaque in the patients’ dining area, Prince Edward toured wards and met patients, including Mike Keegan from New Milton who was working out in the gym.

“It is the second time I have met royalty,” he said. “I have been here five months and they have done wonders with me really and improved me a hell of a lot.”

After spending an hour at the hospital, the royal guest travelled to Wilton Road to unveil a plaque and officially open the city’s new court building, which houses the county, magistrates and crown courts.

He then went to Porton Down to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to open their new Minerva Building, tour the laboratories and meet some of the scientists working there.

The Prince saw a range of presentations, including new temporary peelable coating, which changes the colour of vehicles and protects against chemicals, and gave out operational service medals to five staff members.

Brian Court, director of infrastructure, said: “The work Dstl does here makes a real difference to military operations on the front line and to be able to have the modern facilities we have here means we can do that job more efficiently and effectively.

“To have the Earl of Wessex here today to open that and recognise some of our scientists on operations makes us intensely proud of what we do and how we do it.”