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A look back at Queen Elizabeth II’s visits to Preston

Posted on - 11th September, 2022 - 7:00pm | Author - | Posted in - History, Nostalgia, Preston News
Councillor Joseph Frederick Gray and Mrs Evelyn Gray - Mayor and Mayoress of Preston 1954 to 1955 and Guild Mayor and Mayoress 1972 to 1973. Pic: Lancashire Evening Post 1955
Councillor Joseph Frederick Gray and Mrs Evelyn Gray – Mayor and Mayoress of Preston 1954 to 1955 and Guild Mayor and Mayoress 1972 to 1973. Pic: Lancashire Evening Post 1955

Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday, visited Preston many times. She reined for over 70 years and was the longest serving monarch of the United Kingdom.

Here we look at some of the more memorable occasions when the late Queen visited the city. Images are from the Red Rose Collection, Preston Digital Archive and the Lancashire Evening Post.

The 1955 visit

The Queen visiting the Lancashire Constabulary HQ at Hutton Pic: Preston Digital Archive
The Queen visiting the Lancashire Constabulary HQ at Hutton Pic: Preston Digital Archive

The late Queen first visited Preston, as the Queen, in 1955. She had also visited Preston in 1949, when still Princess Elizabeth. In April 1955 she began a Royal tour of Lancashire, along with the Duke of Edinburgh.

Firstly, she travelled from Windsor by the steam hauled Royal Train, to Morecambe. She then went by car to Lancaster followed by Preston. Here she met the Mayor and visited the Hutton police headquarters.

There is a Pathe newsreel of the visit on YouTube.

Thomas Street, the best kept street 1955 Pic: Preston Digital Archive
Thomas Street, the best kept street 1955 Pic: Preston Digital Archive

The 1974 visit to Preston Railway Station

1974 and the Queen visits Preston Station Pic: Preston Digital Archive
1974 and the Queen visits Preston Station Pic: Preston Digital Archive

In 1974 the Queen visited Preston Railway Station. Here she viewed the power signal box while the Duke of Edinburgh visited the B.A.C. Works, on Strand Road. She later went on to Lancaster. The claret liveried Royal train can be seen in the background of the image above. The first Royal carriage was built as early as 1842 for Queen Adelaide.

The Jubilee visit of 1977

The Queen inspecting the troops in Preston Pic: David Eaves
The Queen inspecting the troops in Preston Pic: David Eaves

Perhaps the Queen’s most significant visit was in 1977, for the Silver Jubilee. She toured the country, in celebration of  25 years since her accession to the throne, in February 1952. Additionally she visited another 36 countries in three months. On 7 June street parties were held throughout the land.

The Queen in Preston Pic: David Eaves
The Queen in Preston Pic: David Eaves

City status in 2002

When The Queen visited Preston in 2002 to make it a city Pic: George D Thompson
When The Queen visited Preston in 2002 to make it a city Pic: George D Thompson

As the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Neil Darby, said in his recent tribute to the Queen: “The people of Preston will forever remember her visit to the City in 2002 as part of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee and the honour she bestowed by granting City Status to Preston as part of her Jubilee celebrations.”

King Charles in the North West

Prince Charles, now King Charles III, has also visited the North West several times. He visited Morecambe last year, where he viewed the fire station and local businesses.

Prince Charles in Morecambe 2022 Pic: Lancs Live
Prince Charles in Morecambe 2022 Pic: Lancs Live

Additionally, in 1981, just before his wedding to Princess Diana, he visited Preston’s Gujarat Hindu Society.

Prince Charles visits the Gujarat Hindu Society in 1981 Pic: BBC
Prince Charles visits the Gujarat Hindu Society in 1981 Pic: BBC



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