Even the wet weather could not dampen high spirits as the Earl and Countess of Wessex officially opened John Henry Newman School in Littlemore on May 4.

The royal couple arrived in the rain for their first public engagement since the birth of their daughter Lady Louise, and were all smiles as they were greeted at the Grange Road school by Year One pupils waving Union flags.

Edward, wearing a grey suit and yellow tie, and Sophie, who wore a cream suit and matching coat, were escorted by headteacher Jenny Lee and accompanied by Malcolm Cochrane, the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Catherine Fulljames, vice-chairman of Oxfordshire County Council, east Oxford MP Andrew Smith and his councillor wife Val, and chairman of governors Anne Mogridge.

The first person the Countess spoke to was eight-year-old dyslexic pupil Jake Belcher and his teacher Tina Parsons, who told her of the special programme the school uses to improve academic results for children with learning difficulties.

Jake said: "I thought she was really nice and very pretty and I can't wait to get home and tell my mum and dad about it."

After their 20-minute walk, during which the royal couple were shown around the classrooms and the new library, they joined 350 four- to 11-year-olds in the sports hall for a special assembly where the countess unveiled a plaque.

Charlotte Stone, 11, a year six pupil and chairman of the school council, presented the countess with a posy of flowers.

The Earl and Countess were later due to visit the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and the John Radcliffe Hospital where the Countess was to officially open the emergency department.