Royalty is coming to Wollongong for the second time in two years.
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Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex will drop by the city next Saturday.
His Royal Highness will be in Wollongong on September 14 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Australia.
The visit comes two years after his older brother Prince Andrew was in town, where among other things he presented a Wollongong student with the inaugural The Duke of York - Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (IDEA) Bronze Winner certificate.
Prince Edward will also meet Award participants during a special event at the Wollongong Youth Centre.
Queen Elizabeth's youngest child will also meet with representatives from Surf Life Saving Illawarra at North Beach and watch demonstrations by the club's nippers.
It's not on the schedule but it is hoped Prince Edward will find time to surprise residents living in Prince Edward Drive, Dapto.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said he was looking forward to welcoming HRH and hopes he has an enjoyable visit in "our beautiful city and region".
"It's terrific to see The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, coming here to celebrate the significant milestone for The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and recognise the efforts of our young people who have participated in the program," Cr Bradbery said.
Peter Kaye AM, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Australia said it was exciting news that Prince Edward was coming to Wollongong to meet with the young people participating in the Award.
He said Prince Edward will attend a total of 25 engagements during his five-day [September 12-17] Australian trip.
"The Earl is here to celebrate and recognise the achievements of those who have completed their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and to congratulate them on their hard work, determination and willpower in completing the Award that's open to all young people regardless of where they live or their circumstances," Mr Kaye said.
One of those engagements in Wollongong will see Prince Edward visit North Wollongong Beach and meet up with youth representatives from Surf Life Saving Illawarra, much to the pleasure of SLSI president Peter Evert.
"It will be a great opportunity for our 14 to 24-year-old surf lifesavers, some of who were introduced to surf lifesaving through volunteer participation in the Duke of Edinburgh award, to meet and discuss their experiences with His Royal Highness," Mr Evert said.
"The empowering of young Australians into The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Award is a great opportunity for Surf Lifesaving, as it brings young members to our organisation, young motivated people develop skills, and become our future surf lifesavers."
Prince Edward, who married Sophie Rhys-Jones back in June of 1999, is the only one of his siblings not divorced.
Royal insiders claim the couple are the Queen's and Prince Philip's favourites.
His Wollongong visit is the latest in a long line of Royals who have dropped by the city.
Her Majesty The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince Phillip visited Wollongong in 1954 and again in 1970.
For their second visit, they brought with them The Prince of Wales, and The Princess Royal.
The Prince of Wales returned in 1988 with The Princess of Wales and officially opened the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
Most recently, His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG visited Wollongong in September 2017
"While Prince Edward is here in his role as Chairman of The Board of Trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, we look forward to giving him a very warm welcome," Cr Bradbery said.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
