Duchess of Cornwall meets children at re-opening of Exeter Library

The Duchess of Cornwall, who is patron of the National Literacy Trust, was in Exeter this afternoon to offically re-open the revamped Exeter Library. The Duchess of Cornwall was caught by a surprise flashmob as she entered the library – being serenaded by the Bill Withers song Lovely day. The Duchess chatted to children, students and older people, at the new library which re-opened in May after a £4million refurbishment, which took 18 months to complete. The site now includes a new foyer, café, a larger children's section and thousands of new books. The library has also been modernised and now includes a fabrication laboratory (a digital workshop). The library sits in the heart of Exeter's cultural quarter alongside the city museum, Phoenix Arts Centre and Exeter Castle.

The Duchess of Cornwall was even persuaded to draw a sea monkey at Exeter Library! pic.twitter.com/Vvtsz1wClP

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) July 15, 2014

The Duchess is also patron of the BookTrust and First Story,which help to promote literacy in young people. She is known to be keen to promote the benefits of reading, and has undertaken a number of engagements on this theme in recent years The Duchess was presented with a posy of flowers by 11 year old Beatrice Stone, and copies of the Exeter Reads books by seven year old Betsy Speck, both from Exeter. Earlier, accompanied by the Duke of Cornwall, she toured the River Cottage HQ restaurant with the cook and broadcaster Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, meeting young people, visiting the cookery school and learning more about foraging, ore. Before coming to Exeter, the Royal couple mett members of the emergency services and saw a demonstration at Exeter International Airport. They met members of the Police, Fire, Ambulance and other services who worked together during last winter's severe weather and flooding in the West Country, including on the Somerset Levels and at Dawlish. While the Duchess was at the Exeter Library the The Duke of Cornwall touredtour the Royal William Yard, and attend a reception to mark the 100th anniversary of the city of Plymouth, which was formed when the three towns of Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport were amalgamated

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall arrive on the Exeter leg of their South West tour. More on @BBCSpotlight at 1330. pic.twitter.com/Cgle7SUHjL

— Hamish Marshall (@bbchamish) July 15, 2014