King Charles III to make royal visit to Colchester

The monarch, who assumed the throne following the death of Her Majesty the Queen last September, will visit the newly-crowned city on March 7.

He will make the royal trip alongside Queen Consort and wife Camila to commemorate Colchester being awarded city status and as part of the area’s Year of Celebration.

Crowds of fans are expected to be allowed to line the streets to show their appreciation of the country’s new monarch.

In the lead-up to the big day police officers and all relevant authorities will visit businesses in the area to ensure appropriate procedures are in place.

Senior dignitaries and figures at Colchester Council have unsurprisingly welcomed the news of the historic visit.

Tim Young, who is the Mayor of Colchester, is thrilled the city will be graced by the highest echelons of royalty next month.

He said: “It is with enormous pride we look forward to welcoming The King and The Queen Consort to Colchester as part of our Year of Celebration of modern city status.

• Read more >> King Charles III to visit Colchester, Royal Family confirms

“It will certainly be one of the highest honours of my time as Mayor.

“Their Majesties’ first visit will be a proud moment for Colchester, and I know local residents will share our delight The King and Queen Consort are visiting our city.

Delighted - Mayor of Colchester, Tim Young (Image: Newsquest)

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Echoing the views of his council counterpart, David King, leader of Colchester Council, said he is equally as excited to welcome the reigning monarch.

“We are delighted The King and Queen Consort are able to join us in celebrating Colchester as a modern city,” he added.

“We look forward to introducing them to an array of charities and community groups that help make our city such a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

“My thanks and congratulations go to the whole team at Colchester Council for the work they have done and are doing to make this historic occasion possible as part.

The news of His Majesty’s somewhat imminent arrival, less than two weeks away, has been met with excitement throughout the city.  

One business owner, for example, has said she will be shutting up shop for the occasion as she will be “there waving my flag.”

Lynda Vincent, meanwhile, has praised the King for deciding to head to Colchester after some questioned if the area would get a royal visit to celebrate its city status.

She said: “[This is] excellent news and now the moaners can stop moaning about us not being visited.”

Collin Burridge added: “Finally, some good news.”

Others, however, are not as thrilled by the King’s impending visit.

Loretta Shahrabi said: “I must remember to be working or anywhere else that day.”

And some have questioned what King Charles III will make of Colchester with some poking fun at the condition of some roads in the city.

Stuart Ainslie said: “He best use one of the Range Rovers to get across the potholes.”

His Royal Highness King Charles is no stranger to Colchester, having been met by adoring crowds on multiple visits to the newly-crowned city over the years.

But the king’s forthcoming day out to the area on this occasion, however, will arguably harbour a significance like never before.

Following in the footsteps of his late mother and royal predecessor Queen Elizabeth II, this will be the king's first visit to Colchester since assuming the throne.

It is unknown what his itinerary will consist of but he is expected to celebrate Colchester becoming a city in some form.

In the past, however, the king has not been shy in coming face-to-face and enjoying conversations with the people of Colchester.

Back in 2014, he headed to the Big Bang Fair at the University of Essex’s Wivenhoe campus, much to the delight of students.

After arriving by helicopter, he happily greeted and conversed with well wishers gathered both inside and outside of the event.

On that day one of those who met the then Prince was former Colchester mayor John Elliot, who spoke last year after Charles became King.

He said: “He was very lovely [when I met him] and he certainly joined in with plenty of things to do on the day.

“He deserves the position [of King], he was always loyal to his mother and supported her in absolutely everything.

“To start something like this at his age is a shame, but I am sure he will make a very fine King and I am very hopeful for him in the future.”

King Charles, who is the oldest royal family member to have ascended to the throne, has also previously made a number of visits to Colchester Garrison.

In his capacity of Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment he has regularly attended events at Merville Barracks and even presented medals to soldiers in the city.

When he paid a visit in the summer of 2021 to present the Army’s airborne battalions with new colours the occasion was considered “momentous and historic”.

Colchester MP Will Quince now expects his March 7 excursion to the city to be just as important.

He said: “[It will be] a very exciting and historic moment for Colchester to welcome His Majesty The King.”

Further details on the royal visit will be confirmed in due course.

Colchester Council will also publish further information, including road closures and public access, on its website colchester.gov.uk in the coming week.

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