The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visit areas affected by flooding

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have spent a day viewing the flooded remnants of homes and businesses on a visit to Gloucestershire.

The royal couple, out for their first joint engagement of the year, visited areas affected by devastating flooding in Gloucester and Tewkesbury.

The widespread flooding saw evacuations and damage, and the town of Tewkesbury was surrounded by flood water—10 of the 23 roads that had to be shut down due to flooding went directly into the town.

Tewkesbury Borough Council posted on their official Facebook page after the visit that they hoped the royal couple’s visit “will help to raise awareness of the support that flooded communities need.”

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester paid visits to Alney Terrace in Gloucester and Abbey Terrace in Tewkesbury. During their visits, they met with residents and business owners affected by the floods; and with emergency preparedness and response teams and members of the local governments.

In an interview with the BBC, a resident of Alney Island, Alistair Sinclair, said “It’s nice that they’re taking notice.”

Pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visiting the homes of residents affected by flooding were shared by the BBC, including one of the Duke inspecting the flood damage in a man’s basement.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are among the members of the Royal Family returning to work this week after the holidays.

The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence have been in Sri Lanka to mark the 75^th anniversary of the country’s independence from the United Kingdom; while the Prince of Wales handed out honours to footballers working to raise awareness of Motor Neuron Disease.