PRINCE Edward paid a visit to Portland yesterday.

The Earl of Wessex was at Portland Port for a guided tour of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Fort Rosalie.

He was visiting in his new role as RFA Commodore-in-Chief, and got to know some of the 250 crew on board during a three-hour stay.

RFA Fort Rosalie recently completed an operational sea training package in Plymouth, to put its crew through their paces.

Prince Edward, who accepted his new title in August, was keen to see how the ship was shaping up after its four-week stint in Devon.

He also wanted to meet the crew, who have endured 18-hour days honing their skills and practising operations.

The Earl of Wessex was joined at yesterday's visit by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Valerie Pitt-Rivers.

The pair were welcomed aboard 28-year-old RFA Fort Rosalie by Captain Ian Pilling and chief officer Andy Armstrong.

Capt Pilling, who has lived on the south coast for 18 years, said: "The Prince is obviously keen to see as many ships as he can.

"It all came at short notice but the crew were really looking forward to his visit. It was a really nice reward at the end of all the training to have him join us for the day."

Prince Edward's visit to Portland yesterday was his second to an RFA ship since he took on his commodore role. In November he visited RFA Wave Ruler in the Caribbean - a week after it had carried out a £3million drugs bust.

RFA Fort Rosalie first officer Nick Covill said the ship's crew had been 'put through the mill' during training, but had performed admirably.

"They did exceptionally well to get the ship up to the standard it was in for Prince Edward's visit," he said. "We were very proud indeed to host him down here."

Officer Covill said Prince Edward's appointment was the first royal affiliation in the RFA's history.

He added: "We're very excited. Visits like this increase the personal touch between the Prince and our crew, so we were very honoured.

"It was perfect timing as well given that we'd just finished training. The guys have worked really hard and to have this at the end was just great.

"It's going to be fantastic to see more of the Earl of Wessex coming down and visiting the ships."

Next year RFA Fort Rosalie will sail from Portland to Scotland, to go through final preparations before it is ready to support Royal Navy warships anywhere in the world.