FROM farming in the Durham Dales to cricket at an international sporting venue, a royal couple experienced many aspects of North-East life during their official visit.

The King and Queen of Lesotho enjoyed a three-day stay in County Durham as part of celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the Durham Diocese – Lesotho Link.

Set up in 1986 as a partnership between the diocese and the African nation, the Link aims to enrich the lives of people in both countries by tackling issues such as poverty, climate change, inequality and Aids.

Their Majesties King Letsie III and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso were invited to the region by the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, who accompanied them to a range of locations with significance to the project.

One of the highlights was a trip to the Durham County Cricket Club Emirates Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street.

King Letsie is a great fan of the sport and enjoyed watching Durham take on Yorkshire on Friday (June 24).

His interest in agriculture, meanwhile, inspired a visit to East Durham College’s Houghall Campus, which offers a large range of land based courses including animal care and horticulture.

The royal couple gained a further insight into the region’s farming tradition when they visited Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Service (UTASS) and Middleton-in Teesdale Auction Mart.

Here a mock auction was held and King Letsie helped to lay a stone to commemorate the couple’s visit.

Diane Spark, project manager of UTASS, said the King had been particularly interested in the Dales Ponies and Bantam hens, as well as the sheep clipping techniques used by Teesdale farmers.

She added: “UTASS was absolutely delighted to have been asked to play a part in the royal visit. It felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Other locations visited include the Venerable Bede Church of England Academy in Tunstall Bank, Sunderland, and the National Glass Centre in Sunderland.

Alex Nelson, chair of the Durham Link said: "All of the places we have visited have a special meaning for the King and Queen. It is not often that a head of state visits a hill farm in Teesdale or a school in Sunderland or drops in for lunch along with a Bishop. But we have been able to achieve that during this visit which has mean so much to the people of the Diocese, the Link and our royal guests.”