NOSTALGIA: Royal visits to Petersfield were few and far between

ALTHOUGH it was the first Earl of Gloucester who founded Petersfield and the present Duke of Gloucester is a cousin of the Queen, visits to the town by the RoyalFamily have been few.

Historically, in the late-1600s Charles II is believed to have had assignations with Louise de Kérouaille, which led to the line of the Duke of Richmond, in the former Castle House in The Square.

Members of the Royal Family could well have been familiar with the road between London and Portsmouth on their way to and from the home of the Royal Navy but it was not until December 13, 1922, Petersfield had its first proper royal visit.

Queen Victoria’s youngest child,?Princess Beatrice, who was Governor General of the Isle of Wight arrived as guest of honour for the bicentennial celebrations of Churcher’s College.

She was greeted in The Square by cheering crowds, including a guard of honour of Cub Scouts, and was presented with a scroll by the Mayor and other dignitaries.

In 1953, despite poor weather, residents again turned out in their hundreds to watch the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh drive along Ramshill, College Street and Dragon Street on their way to the Coronation Naval Review at Portsmouth.

Then, in August 1976, the Queen returned to the district to officially open Queen Elizabeth Country Park for public use.