COLCHESTER is set for a momentous visit next week as King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla stop off at the newly-crowned city.

The monarch, who assumed the throne following the death of Her Majesty the Queen last September, will visit Colchester on Tuesday.

The itinerary has been revealed and several important announcements have been made over road closures and restrictions throughout Monday and Tuesday.

Here is everything we know so far

Joined by Queen Consort and wife Camilla, His Royal Highness is making the trip in celebration of Colchester being awarded city status.

After arriving in the area, the King will head to the historic Colchester Castle where he will be greeted by a Guard of Honour and the city’s British Army Band.

Outside the venue, in the surrounding park, the country’s figurehead and the Queen Consort will meet charity representatives, volunteers and refugees.

Their Majesties will also hear from schoolchildren on educational visits before being shown the artefact handling trolley by students from Market Field College.

King Charles and Camilla will also meet representatives from Essex Native Oyster Restoration Initiative, Firstsite, and domestic abuse charity Next Chapter.

Following a reception to celebrate Colchester’s city status, the royal couple will reveal the chosen name for Colchester Zoo’s newest addition, a baby white rhino.

After soaking up the city’s rich heritage and history, Charles and Camilla will then head to Colchester Library to enjoy afternoon tea with Age UK volunteers and users.

During their visit they will learn about the library’s impact in the community through the Essex Year of Reading and engage with Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter.

Her Majesty will then be joined in the library’s Literacy Corner by children, broadcaster and author Dermot O’Leary, and author Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

They will also meet staff from The Silver Line, a helpline providing elderly residents with around-the-clock support.

Marking the end of proceedings Their Majesties will slice through a special cake and the Queen Consort will be presented with a very special Colchester Library card.

What restrictions will be in place?

High Street, Head Street, Culver Street West, Sir Issacs Walk, North Hill and East Hill will all be out of action on Tuesday from 7am until 2pm.

The restrictions have been put in place by Colchester Council to accommodate His Royal Highness’s trip to the city with the Queen Consort.

Motorists and cyclists will be unable to use the roads during the specified timeframe but emergency vehicles and pedestrians will still be permitted access.

There will also be an impact on bus services and the taxi ranks in High Street and Head Street will be temporarily relocated to North Hill.

On Monday, parking restrictions will be in force in the High Street from 1pm and 11pm for the following roads:

  • Head Street
  • North Hill
  • Culver Street West
  • Sir Issacs Walk
  • Eld Lane
  • Castle Bailey
  • Museum Street
  • St Nicholas Square
  • Queen Street

Any vehicles that have been left once the parking restrictions come into force will be moved.

Visitors and residents are advised to plan before they travel.

Park and Ride services will be running as normal, but with a diversion due to the road closures in place.

Access into Priory Street will be affected by a redirection of traffic with vehicles accessing the car park between 7am and 2pm.

Cars will enter off East Hill and exit via Queen Street.

Napier Road South Car Park will be closed on March 6 and 7 and Sheepen Road Car Park will be closed on March 7, but all other council-owned car parks will be open.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here. You can also sign up to our court and crime newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on gazette.newsdesk@newsquest.com.