THE Duchess of Edinburgh is set to visit Canvey in a high-profile Royal visit to a long-established and respected bookbinding company.

Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, will visit the Charfleet Book Bindery on Canvey on June 27.

The business, in Shannon Way, was founded back in 1919.

It is an established UK company with a “long, rich history” of handmade bookbinding, producing high quality bespoke diaries, journals, luxury stationary, business gifts, and leather-bound goods.

The exact details are currently unclear, but it is believed the Duchess of Edinburgh will be visiting to open a brand new state-of-the-art bindery facility.

Ray Howard MBE, who was a councillor on Canvey for decades and spent 32 years on Essex County Council, welcomed the news

He said: “It is really good to hear.

“To me she has always presented herself very well and we have had a few Royals to the island in the past which we have always welcomed.

“I worked hard along with others to get that business park there and it is looking very, very good. It has put businesses on the map.

“Charfleet have been on Canvey for years and years and years and have employed so many people.

“I am very pleased to hear this. She will also be able to see bits on Canvey on the way, which hopefully puts it on the map even more.”

To celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, the Charfleet Book Bindery introduced a special edition notebook which they say, “enforces our proud British book binding heritage”.

The Duchess of Edinburgh is a full-time working member of the Royal Family. She splits her time between her work on behalf of The King across the UK and Commonwealth, and support for a large number of her own charities and organisations.

A number of Royal Family members have visited Canvey over the years including Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and King Charles III when he was Prince of Wales.

Mr Howard added: “The Duchess of Edinburgh’s husband, Prince Edward, came to Canvey a few years back now to Canvey Junior School, and also the flood barrier at Benfleet, which I had the honour of showing him around.

“We have had Princess Anne too - we love and welcome having members of the Royal Family visit, and it is great to hear of another.”

On the same day, the Duchess of Edinburgh will visit Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, in Ingatestone.