York to welcome King Charles III and the Queen Consort
They'll be coming next Wednesday to unveil a statue in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II
Senior figures at City of York Council have welcomed news of the historic visit to York of Their Majesties King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, in which they will unveil a statue of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The statue, designed and carved by York Minster stone mason Richard Bossons, will be unveiled - following a service - at the West Front of the Minster on Tuesday 9th November 2022.
The King will enter York at Micklegate, the traditional royal entrance into the city, where he will be met by the Lord Mayor, Councillor David Carr, the Lady Mayoress, Lynda Carr, the Sheriff, Sheriff’s Consort, along with the Leader of the Council, Cllr Keith Aspden, Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk.
Micklegate Bar was the most important of York’s four main medieval gateways and the focus for grand events. By tradition, reigning monarchs pass through this gate when visiting York, and stop here to ask the Lord Mayor's permission to enter the city.
Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was given the time-honoured Monarch’s welcome to the City of York in 2012, with a proclamation of welcome in a medieval atmosphere conjured up by traditional musicians and musketeers.
Lord Mayor of York, Councillor David Carr said:
“To extend the traditional greeting to King Charles III on what we hope will be the first of many visits to York will doubtless be one of the highest honours of my career and my period in the great office of Lord Mayor of York. I am thrilled to be able to welcome him on what I am certain will be a day which combines great joy at his visit and reflection on the great service and legacy of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“My thanks and congratulations go to the whole team at York Minster for the work they have done to make this historic occasion possible”
Leader of City of York Council Councillor, Keith Aspden, said:
“York’s unique connection to the Crown and the Monarch is an important part of our city's history. We were honoured to welcome Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to York eleven times during her reign. The King’s first visit will be another proud moment for York and I know that local residents will share our delight that the King and Queen Consort have chosen to visit our city so early in their reign.
“It is a great honour both that the new King and Queen Consort should choose to visit our historic city, and that York Minster’s tribute to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the focus of this historic occasion. We are currently carrying out all necessary work with partners to prepare for this important visit to ensure the occasion is a special and unforgettable moment in York’s history.”
Other relevant information about, for example, road closures and public access, will be made available in the coming days.
King Charles II - a life in pictures:
King Charles is born (1948)
Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor was born to then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on November 14th, 1948, as the couple's first child.
King Charles in 1952
When his grandfather George VI died and his mother ascended to the throne in 1952, Charles became the future heir of the monarchy at the age of four.
He also became the Duke of Cornwall. When he was 21, in 1969, he became entitled to the full income of the Duchy and took over its management.
Charles' childhood
Growing up, Charles went to a boarding school for his education, studying at Gordonstoun private school in the north-east of Scotland.
Charles' experience at the school helped to shape him, saying in an interview that he was glad to have attended.
King Charles at university
After finishing his A-Levels, Charles broke with royal tradition and went straight to university, where he obtained a 2:2 in a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cambridge in 1970. This made Charles the first British heir to attain a university degree.
Investiture of the Prince of Wales
In 1969, the Investiture of the Prince of Wales took place at Caernarfon Castle, where Charles was crowned by the Queen as the Prince of Wales.
King Charles in the Navy
King Charles served in the Navy between 1971 to 1976. He trained as a Royal Air Force pilot and served on the frigate HMS Jupiter as part of its Pacific voyage.
King Charles and Diana (1981)
In 1981, Prince Charles married Diana Spencer in the most-watched television event at the time. Over 1 billion people looked on as the Prince and Princess of Wales made their wedding vows.
The marriage birthed Charles' only children - William and Harry, but would end in tragedy as the couple would divorce in 1992. Princess Diana would later die in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
Prince William's first day at Eton College
The King and Princess of Wales and brother Prince Harry join Prince William for his first day at Eton College in September 1995.
Assassination attempt
Following his divorce from Diana, Charles continued to carry out royal duties. Whilst on a tour of Australia in 1994, King Charles was shot at twice by student David Kang.
David Kang was protesting about the treatment of Cambodian asylum seekers in Australia. Charles was not hurt and managed to dodge the bullet.
King Charles and Camilla
King Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, 13 years after his divorce from Diana. Because this was Charles' second marriage, he was unable to get married in a church and instead held a civil wedding. Charles' parents did not attend the ceremony, due to the Queen's role as head of the Church of England. Following their marriage, Camilla would go on to receive the title of 'Duchess of Cornwall'.
Media presence
Prince Charles has kept his life relatively private following his marriage to Camilla. The Prince rarely spoke to newspapers and occasionally appeared on television, in order to maintain his privacy.
However, Charles has tried his hand at a number of positions, including presenting the weather for BBC Scotland while on a trip to Glasgow in 2012.
Charity work
Over 40 years Prince Charles has set up 20 charities, he has been a keen supporter of charity work, setting up the Prince's Trust in 1976 to help vulnerable people get their life back on track.
Since then, Charles has been a vocal supporter of human rights, calling for more action against abuse worldwide. Most recently, the Prince commissioned a series of portraits of seven Holocaust survivors in early 2022.
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort
Following the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles immediately became King Charles III on 8th September.
In the days following his mother's death, he met members of the public with his wife Camilla, now Queen Consort.
On 10th September, an historic meeting at St James' Palace confirmed his role of King.
King Charles III delivers his first address to parliament
King Charles said he felt "the weight of history" as he addressed parliament for the first time as King, adding he vowed to follow the example set by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.