A ROYAL connection was maintained at NEWI as the Duchess of Gloucester opened the refurbished entrance hall and theatre.
Her visit came 52 years after her mother-in-law, the previous Duchess of Gloucester, opened the original NEWI.
She was given a tour of the refurbished Mold Road site, in particular the Nick Whitehead Theatre.
Also described to her was the meaning of the new stained glass artwork in the foyer depicting the life of former principal J O Williams, who conducted many years of research into advanced materials.
The duchess saw a student Bangladeshi band made up of Saif Khandaker, Sonjoy Ghofe and Ron Moir play in the new theatre before admiring art students' work in the gallery.
The royal visitor said it was very special for her because of her family link to NEWI.
'I take great pleasure in being here today and offer my best wishes to the students and the people who work here,' she said. 'It is particularly special to me as it is 52 years after my mother-in-law's visit to this building.'
The duchess was presented with an Islamic prayer box by jewellery degree student Ahmed Yussef, who made the piece as part of his final year work.
The visit to Wrexham also included a return to Nightingale House Hospice, which the duchess opened in 1995.
She unveiled a plaque recognising its 10th anniversary and the refurbishment of its hydrotherapy pool.
