![Duke of Gloucester Visit (72)[51]](https://suffolk-lieutenancy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Duke-of-Gloucester-Visit-7251-scaled.jpg)
The University of Suffolk, Ipswich Town Football Club and Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury were all part of a busy day in Suffolk for the Duke of Gloucester on 4th March 2025. The Duke opened the new state-of-the-art Dentistry School at the University. A pioneering new community facility, in partnership with regional dentists, the Integrated Care System and NHS England will provide 4,200 sessions a year for NHS-only dental care, while providing expert training for our dentists and oral hygienists of tomorrow.
The Duke then visited the Ipswich Town Football Club Foundation to meet many of those benefitting from special activities organised to support those who are among the most vulnerable in the community, those who have special needs, and those for whom active support and encouragement can make a huge difference to their quality of life. The Duke enjoyed seeing the activities in action and meeting many participants. He was also pleased to meet Club officials, to thank them for this inspiring work, and to wish the Club well on its Premiership Club journey.
Gainsborough’s House was the final visit of the day, where The Duke toured the historic house and its striking modern gallery spaces that were completed in 2022. As a trained architect, The Duke was interested in particular to be shown the craftsmanship and vision behind the project and learned of the sensitive balance between heritage preservation and functional contemporary design. The Duke clearly enjoyed viewing a number of the permanent displays and exhibitions at Gainsborough’s House including The Image of the Artist: Portraits from the Royal Academy, and he was pleased to recognise the House as a major cultural and artistic public asset to Suffolk, the region and internationally.
