Watch HRH Prince Edward crack jokes as he officially opens Merseyside Police HQ

His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex, was in good spirits as he officially opened Merseyside Police’s new state-of-the-art new headquarters at Rose Hill.

Prince Edward, who was welcomed by Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell and Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, made a number of quips as he formally declared the £48 million landmark headquarters open.

After being greeted by the Commissioner and Chief Constable, Prince Edward was welcomed by a guard of honour, including mounted police, the Merseyside Police band, and a group of Mini Police Officers.

His Royal Highness was then taken on a tour of the building, meeting officers and staff and finding out about the cutting-edge police centre, which brings more than 1,100 officers and police staff together under one roof on a key gateway into the city centre.

Before unveiling the plaque, HRH Prince Edward addressed the crowd and said: “When I pull this cord, it will mean this building will be formally open so whatever happened before today was a figment of your imaginations.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrel said: “It’s been a really special day. He spent a lot of time talking to individual members of staff, to police officers. He was really keen to understand what they’ve been working through, how COVID has affected things, and we are really grateful he spent so much time with us.”

Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy said: “His royal highness was really engaging. He was really interested in the work that we’re doing, particularly the work we’re doing with young people, the work we’re doing within our communities.”