WHEN a member of the Royal Family visits town you can usually expect road closures, hundreds lining the street and plenty of flag waving.

But poor old Prince Edward (pictured) was greeted by just one person in Newport yesterday.

And two uniformed police officers.

Sporting a patriotic Union Jack T-shirt and flag, Carol Bader greeted the Prince with a single sunflower outside St Paul's Church in Commercial Street.

The Earl of Wessex was in Gwent on a whistle-stop tour to help highlight the good work being done to help the disadvantaged.

Royal-watcher Mrs Bader, from Newport, said: "My mother followed the Royals and I was brought up with it. I just love all the pomp and ceremony.

"I brought him a single flower rather than a bouquet because I thought it was more manly."

It was the first time Mrs Bader had met the Prince. She welcomed him to Newport and asked him how his daughter, Lady Louise, was.

She said: "He said she was growing up quite quickly now.

"He looked a lot better in the flesh than he does in the papers. I found him to be a really pleasant man."

The Prince, visiting the region without his wife Sophie, began the day at the Caring Hands centre in Lower Dock Street.

There he heard from the city's homeless and the volunteers who provide them with food, clothing and support.

Michael Sidorenko, 40, said he was glad the centre was getting the recognition it deserved.

He said: "This place has made an amazing difference to my life. I'm glad the Prince has come to see it."

There was rapturous applause as Edward unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit to the centre.

He told the volunteers: "Keep up the excellent work, it's much appreciated."

While at the Kaleidoscope project at St Paul's Church, the Prince chatted with staff and former addicts about the innovative work of the centre which has been helping to treat and counsel up to 200 people every day.

Former addict Martin Jones, 20, from Blackwood explained to the Prince the difference the scheme has made to his life.

There was a warm welcome in the Valleys when the Prince visited the The Nook in Abersychan.

Children from Pontnewynydd Primary School lined the streets and cheered as Edward arrived for a tour of the groundbreaking education centre.