The Earl and Countess of Wessex dropped into Whitton School to see some of the good work being done by teen mums from Straight Talking.
The New Malden-based charity is one of nearly 160 groups to share a £1.1m from the Wessex Youth Trust since it was set up by the royal couple a decade
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Prince Edward and his wife Sophie spent about an hour at the secondary school in Percy Road
They were learning how Straight Talking works with pupils to teach them about the realities of becoming a teen parent.
They were greeted by a line of students waving Union Jacks
They also chatted to pupils calculating how to survive on a single mum's budget and heard another mum talk to children about her experiences.
At one point Sophie, who has two children of her own, joked about how you only realised when you became a mother how you need three arms to cope.
The royal visit coincided with Edward and Sophie's 10th wedding anniversary.
Straight Talking has been sending teen mums into Whitton School for a decade to help with its sex education classes.
Teacher Dave Connellan said the added 'street cred' they provided helped drive the message home.
Hilary Pannack founded Straight Talking from the loft of her New Malden flat in 1998...
She said it was a huge honour to have Edward and Sophie see some of the work they have helped support.
Countess of Wessex speaks to Dave Connellan, who runs the PSE course at the whitton school, and Hilary Pannack - Straight Talking founder member.
Prince Edward chats to Whitton School pupils.
Becky Diston gives a pram handling demo to one of the Whitton pupils.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit classes at Whitton School.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit classes at Whitton School.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit classes at Whitton School.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex admire an albino snake.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex admire an albino snake.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex sign the school's guestbook.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex get some flowers and a card to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex get some flowers and a card to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex head out.
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Edward & Sophie at Whitton School
Jun 29 2009 by By Sam Mukadam
The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, and wife Sophie, marked their 10th wedding anniversary on June 19th with a visit to Whitton School in Twickenham.
