Dust off

the red carpet, Coweta County... royalty is on its way.

His Royal

Highnes Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh, is set to tour

the new Slumberland facility in the Shenandoah Industrial

Park March 13.

The British

mattress manufacturer picked Newnan as home for its U.S.

corporate headquarters and is expected to employ 150 at

the center.

Slumberland

beds are specified by the British Royal Households and

display the royal warrants of Queen Elizabeth II and the

Queen Mother.

The company

selected Newnan for its strategic location and proximity

to Hartsfield International Airport.

During the

royal visit, Prince Philip will unveil a plaque at the

facility and also tour the facility.

Prior to

his stop in Coweta County, Prince Philip will be the

guest of honor at a fund-raising gala co-hosted by the

British American Business Group in conjunction with the

British Consulate General and United Way of Metropolitan

Atlanta. Proceeds from the event will be divided between

the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and United Way, who are

major supporters of the Boy Scouts.

Prince

Philip, duke of Edinburgh, earl of Merioneth and baron of

Greenwich, was born prince of Greece and Denmark in Corfu

June 10, 1921; the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece.

His

paternal family is of Danish descent - Prince Andrew

was the grandson of King Christian IX of Denmark. His

mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg, the eldest child

of Prince Louis of Battenberg and sister of Earl

Mountbatten of Burma. Prince Louis became a naturalised

British subject in 1868, joined the Royal Navy and rose

to become an admiral of the fleet and first sea lord in

1914.

During

World War I he changed the family name to Mountbatten and

was created marquess of Milford Haven. Prince Philip

adopted the family name of Mountbatten when he became a

naturalised British subject and renounced his royal title

in 1947.

The

engagement of Lt. Philip Mountbatten to Princess

Elizabeth was announced in July 1947 and the marriage

took place in Westminster Abbey Nov. 20.

Shortly

before the wedding, the bridegroom was created duke of

Edinburgh, earl of Merioneth and baron of Greenwich with

the style of His Royal Highness and appointed a knight of

the garter by the king.

The queen

and Prince Philip had two children before and two after

the queen succeeded to the throne.

Since the

queen's accession, the duke of Edinburgh, who is patron

or president of some 800 organizations, has played a

prominent part in many aspects of national life.

His special

interests are in scientific and technological research

and development, the encouragement of sport, the welfare

of young people, and conservation and the environment.

Information

for this article was obtained from the royal web site, www.royal.gov.uk .