By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

Under a royal blue sky and with the strains of The Beatles' “Twist and Shout” playing, Prince Philip of England touched down on Coweta soil Monday morning.

His Royal Highness paid a visit to Newnan to commemorate the opening of Slumberland in the Shenandoah Industrial Park.

Slumberland is a British mattress company that has been chosen by the Royal Family as its mattress of choice since 1947.

“I'm sure Newnan and all of Georgia will sleep better now,” said Prince Philip with a touch of British wit.

Nearly 200 invited guests turned out for the reception, which featured several dignitaries from Coweta and Fayette counties.

The prince spoke for about 30 seconds before being led on an escorted tour of the plant. Slumberland is expected to employ about 150 people at the Coweta facility and will serve as the company's headquarters for North and South America.

As the Prince's motorcade made its way to the facility, several group of school children from Coweta and Fayette counties waved brightly colored streamers and carnations as the limousine pulled up to the plant.

The children are part of the Achievers International group. The group is a nonprofit corporation that helps create a global economic education program between students in Georgia and counterparts in Scotland, England and Wales.

The program was initially piloted at schools in Fayette and Coweta counties in 1995, but has spread to other systems.

Bette Hickman, who is Achievers International executive director, said she met with a spokesman for the Royal Family to prepare for the visit.

“He just wanted to put us at ease. He told us to think of it as a family visit,” said Hickman.

After Prince Philip toured the facility, he attended a reception inside the plant with several of the dignitaries. A white tent was set up, with lush background music playing. The Prince and his guests dined on Sprayberry's barbecue before he headed back to Atlanta.