It was a hectic day for Albion’s hierarchy with a royal visit at the training ground before jetting off to the South of France for their first ever European away match.

Brighton will be playing 1993 Champions League winners Marseille tonight at the Stade Velodrome.

Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber was at the club’s American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing to greet Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward for his visit to Sussex yesterday.

Club chairman Tony Bloom and the rest of the team flew down yesterday afternoon ahead of tonight's kick-off which is at 5.45pm British time.

The Argus: Prince Edward is greeted by Paul Barber at the training groundPrince Edward is greeted by Paul Barber at the training ground (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Barber told The Argus: “We’re very excited for the match, I’m most excited for the fans. They have all waited for a long time for the club to be playing in European competitions.

“So to be able to make their first ever away trip in Europe is extra special. I know a lot them are really looking forward to it.

“It will be a tough game, a really difficult game but we’re really excited to be going to the South of France later today. Tony will be travelling, I’m off to the airport right now.”

Prince Edward arrived at 12.30pm at the training ground and stayed until around 2pm.

He was given a guided tour of the training ground and spoke to academy players who recently completed their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.

The Argus: Albion academy players tell Prince Edward about their Duke of Edinburgh expeditionAlbion academy players tell Prince Edward about their Duke of Edinburgh expedition (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Prince Edward noted how “the training ground was in a very different place compared to last time” he visited Sussex in 2015.

Barber said: “It is always a great pleasure to host His Royal Highness, it’s the second time I have had the pleasure of hosting him. The first time was at the Amex Stadium in 2015, we hosted a lunch for him and his wife.

“Today it was fantastic to show what we do here at the training ground. Also for the young boys to showcase what they have learnt on the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme, how their communication and leadership skills have improved.

“He was very astute to recognise the club has progressed a lot since his last visit.”