Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the new building of the British Embassy in Sofia. Traditionally, a royal presence graces the opening of a UK overseas mission. His Royal Highness arrived at the Embassy in a red Jaguar at 10:28 a.m. sharp, accompanied by the British Ambassador to Bulgaria, HE Richard Stagg, and his two bodyguards. 20 uniformed policemen, several members from the National Bodyguard Service and from the British mission were deployed on Moskovska Street, where the new Embassy building is located. The Duke of York toured the building for a little over an hour. As special representative of British Trade International, the Prince devoted particular attention to the employees of the Embassy`s Commercial Section and showed interest in the business projects on which they are currently working. At 11:35 a.m., the Duke of York presented a special plaque to the brand new building at 9 Moskovska Street. The plaque said that the prince was enormously pleased to be in Bulgaria. He added that the United Kingdom fully supports Bulgaria. HE Ambassador Stagg said he was glad to attend the inauguration of the building but was also sad that he should leave Bulgaria very soon. He has been working in Bulgaria for nearly six and a half years. His next appointment is Public Service Director at the Foreign Office in London. Earlier during the day, Prince Andrew also inaugurated the new building of the British Council in Bulgaria. After a reception at the British Ambassador`s Residence, Prince Andrew was scheduled to meet the Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg.