The Prince of Wales has visited Poundbury at least twice a year since the first bricks were laid down 22 years ago. He attends public and private engagements where he speaks to the key people involved with the development to be kept up to date. The Prince has been accompanied by ministers of state, major landowners and foreign dignitaries and on one occasion his mother Queen Elizabeth II. Before Poundbury was built the Prince attended the planning consultation weekend when the masterplan was exhibited to the public and stakeholders in 1989. At this time, whilst the land had been allocated for Dorchester’ s expansion Poundbury was simply a Duchy farm on the edge of Dorchester. Many new businesses and buildings have been opened by the Prince since then. This includes a range of Guinness Partnership houses where he has handed over the keys to the new residents and visited their new home. His visits always attract an excited crowd and the Prince often stops to talk to residents about living in Poundbury, showing a keen interest in the community he helped shape. During the last few visits he has been presented gifts and wishes after the birth of his grandchildren – Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.