King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will come to York next week and unveil a statue of the late Queen.
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 Wednesday 9 November.
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 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 Cllr 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 11 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.
Part of Yorkshire tour
The King’s visit to York is part of a wider Yorkshire tour.
Charles will spend two days carrying out official engagements in the county, visiting Bradford and Leeds on 8 November, and then York and Doncaster on 9 November, with Camilla joining him on the second day.
After the unveiling, the Archbishop of York will bless the statue of the Queen.
The late Queen chose the final design of the statue herself and the figure is carved out of Lepine stone.
The unveiling was due to take place in late September but was postponed due to the royal mourning period following the Queen’s death.
During his time in Bradford, the King will visit the head office of supermarket chain Morrisons.
In Leeds, West Yorkshire, the King will be shown a number of The World Reimagined Globes on display as part of a national project to explore the history and impact of the transatlantic slave trade.
He will also meet members of the Jamaican and wider West Indian community, and tour the Jamaica Society Leeds’ Rebellion to Romance exhibition.
After the statue unveiling in York Minster, the royal couple will travel to Doncaster, South Yorkshire, to confer its status as a city.
Eight places won coveted city status as part of celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee.
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