THE Isle of Wight will be visited by royalty later this month, as the newly-built NHS Ambulance station will be officially opened.

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester will carry out several engagements across the Island on Wednesday, April 19.

At St Mary’s Hospital, she will open the new ambulance station, take a guided tour of the facility and meet operational staff and teams behind the running of the service.

She will also be showing her support to the Island Games team, which travels to compete in Guernsey later in the year.

The Duchess of Gloucester will give thanks to the team’s two longest-standing main sponsors – kit sponsors ICR TOUCH and Red Funnel, which has supported the team’s travel.

She will also visit the West Wight Dementia Friendly Choir, which meets every Wednesday in Freshwater.

The choir is made up of people living with dementia, their family members and some carers, providing joy and respite to all concerned.

Finally, she will visit Home-Start IOW, a voluntary organisation that supports parents and carers with at least one child under five to help them with the challenges of family life.