King Charles is coming to West Yorkshire
His Majesty King Charles III will visit Leeds and Bradford next week.
On Tuesday, November 8 The King will unveil a special plaque at Leeds Central Library to mark the 10th anniversary of the Child Friendly Leeds initiative.
As well as having the opportunity to explore the library and its vast collection, The King will also visit Rebellion to Romance, an exhibition at the library by The Jamaica Society Leeds which explores the lives of second-generation West Indians in Leeds coming of age in the 1970s and 80s.
His Majesty will also have the opportunity so see a series of sculptures created as part of The World Reimagined, which will be brought together inside Leeds Art Gallery.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Robert W Gettings MBE JP said: “It’s an absolute honour to be hosting His Majesty The King and to have the opportunity to not only give him the warmest of Leeds welcomes, but to share some of the remarkable initiatives which make Leeds such a special and unique place.
“In particular we are incredibly proud that The King will be helping us to mark 10 years of Child Friendly Leeds, an initiative which has made such a profound and lasting difference to the lives of so many young people and families across the city and within our communities.”
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council added: “Welcoming a member of The Royal Family to Leeds is always a huge and historic occasion for the city and we’re especially excited to be welcoming His Majesty The King for his first visit to Leeds since ascending to the throne.
“We hope that sharing some of our city’s superb work supporting young people as well as our proud history and heritage with The King will help create a lasting impression of Leeds as a welcoming, nurturing and diverse city.”
In Bradford, His Majesty will be welcomed in Centenary Square by performances from the City of Bradford Brass Band and Punjabi Roots Academy playing the dhol drums, before a reception in City Hall where he will meet local young leaders who are excelling in business, in media and culture, in sport and in community work.
Councillor Martin Love, the Lord Mayor of Bradford, said: "It is a terrific honour for Bradford to be among the first places that our new King will visit.
“We are looking forward to showing off our great city and introducing King Charles to some of the exceptional people from across our district.
“We are a young, diverse, vibrant and very welcoming place and I am certain that our Royal guest will be impressed and will have an enjoyable time.”