The Countess of Wessex has been named as the new Guide Dogs Royal Patron, taking over from Princess Alexandra after more than 60 years in the role.

The news was announced at the event opening of the new Guide Dogs South West regional centre in Bristol, and 'the Royal guests were treated to demonstrations of the charity's dog and puppy training classes as well as some of the ways Guide Dogs supports children who are blind or partially sighted'. The charity's chairman Jamie Hambro commented 'We’re looking forward to working with our new Patron to continue to highlight our work which enables people living with sight loss to live the lives they choose'.