Friday, March 3, 2000
Friday, March 3, 2000 |
Dust off the red carpet, Coweta County... royalty is on its way. His Royal Highnes Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh, is set to tour the new Slumberland facility in the Shenandoah Industrial Park March 13. The British mattress manufacturer picked Newnan as home for its U.S. corporate headquarters and is expected to employ 150 at the center. Slumberland beds are specified by the British Royal Households and display the royal warrants of Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother. The company selected Newnan for its strategic location and proximity to Hartsfield International Airport. During the royal visit, Prince Philip will unveil a plaque at the facility and also tour the facility. Prior to his stop in Coweta County, Prince Philip will be the guest of honor at a fund-raising gala co-hosted by the British American Business Group in conjunction with the British Consulate General and United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. Proceeds from the event will be divided between the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and United Way, who are major supporters of the Boy Scouts. Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh, earl of Merioneth and baron of Greenwich, was born prince of Greece and Denmark in Corfu June 10, 1921; the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece. His paternal family is of Danish descent — Prince Andrew was the grandson of King Christian IX of Denmark. His mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg, the eldest child of Prince Louis of Battenberg and sister of Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Prince Louis became a naturalised British subject in 1868, joined the Royal Navy and rose to become an admiral of the fleet and first sea lord in 1914. During World War I he changed the family name to Mountbatten and was created marquess of Milford Haven. Prince Philip adopted the family name of Mountbatten when he became a naturalised British subject and renounced his royal title in 1947. The engagement of Lt. Philip Mountbatten to Princess Elizabeth was announced in July 1947 and the marriage took place in Westminster Abbey Nov. 20. Shortly before the wedding, the bridegroom was created duke of Edinburgh, earl of Merioneth and baron of Greenwich with the style of His Royal Highness and appointed a knight of the garter by the king. The queen and Prince Philip had two children before and two after the queen succeeded to the throne. Since the queen's accession, the duke of Edinburgh, who is patron or president of some 800 organizations, has played a prominent part in many aspects of national life. His special interests are in scientific and technological research and development, the encouragement of sport, the welfare of young people, and conservation and the environment. Information for this article was obtained from the royal web site, www.royal.gov.uk.
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