Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex, the wife of Prince Edward, was scheduled to come to Jersey next Wednesday 24 March.

An NSPCC Royal Patron, the Countess was due to visit the NSPCC centre on Stopford Road, sight loss charity EYECAN and the William Knott Child Development and Therapy Centre at Overdale as part of her work to highlight the services provided to vulnerable children. 

But now officials have said the decision has now been taken to postpone her visit “in view of the current situation surrounding corona virus”.

“It is hoped that the visit can be re-scheduled as soon as everything becomes clearer,” a government spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for NSPCC Jersey said: “A visit by HRH The Countess of Wessex to the NSPCC’s Jersey centre has understandably been postponed following the ongoing situation with COVID-19.

“We are optimistic that the visit will be re-scheduled and we continue to look forward to sharing with our Royal Patron the incredible and life-changing work going on in Jersey by our staff members, volunteers and supporters, to help local children and families.”

It remains unclear whether the island’s other scheduled Royal visit – that of the Queen’s cousins, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, as part of the Liberation 75 celebrations – will still go ahead. 

Jersey’s Emergencies Council – the island’s equivalent of ‘Cobra’ – will be meeting today to discuss new guidelines for large-scale events in light of new restrictions in the UK.

An announcement is expected later today.