Recent Royal Visits

HRH The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in May 2023

HRH The Princess Royal was welcomed to Cheshire on 10th May by the Lord-Lieutenant, Lady Redmond MBE. Her Royal Highness visited Budworth Sailing Club, Great Budworth on the occasion of their 75th Anniversary.

HRH The Countess of Wessex visits Cheshire in November 2022

HRH The Countess of Wessex was welcomed to Cheshire on 3rd November by the Lord-Lieutenant, Lady Redmond MBE. The Countess, who is Patron of David Lewis, opened the refurbished School and visited Top Farm. 

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visits Cheshire in November 2022

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Cheshire on 1 November, welcomed by the Lord-Lieutenant, Lady Redmond MBE. The Duke visited Reaseheath College to join in its Centenary celebrations, presented The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to South Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club at a ceremony at Constabulary HQ, and finally toured the Cheshire Military Museum in Chester to mark its 50th Anniversary.

HRH The Earl of Wessex visits Cheshire in October 2021

HRH The Earl of Wessex visited Cheshire on 13th October. The Lord-Lieutenant, Lady Redmond MBE, welcomed HRH The Earl of Wessex to Cheshire. His Royal Highness met front-line staff of the Cheshire emergency services involved in the Covid-19 response and formally opened the Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service Training Centre in Winsford.

The following day, His Royal Highness spoke to retailers on Northgate Street Chester and in Chester Indoor Market to hear of the work undertaken during the Covid-19 pandemic and recovery, and later attended a reception at Chester Town Hall to meet with volunteers and clients of charities and organisations in Cheshire, and with staff of Cheshire West and Cheshire Council. 

HRH The Countess of Wessex visits Cheshire in October 2019

HRH The Countess of Wessex visited Cheshire on 8th October and carried out three engagements. The Countess of Wessex, President, Brainwave, visited the Brainwave North West Centre, Birchwood, Warrington to celebrate its Tenth Anniversary. Her Royal Highness, President, Girlguiding, opened the new residential building, “the Lookout”, at Cheshire Forest Pettypool Activity Centre, Sandiway, Northwich. The Countess later visited Tarporley War Memorial Hospital to celebrate its Centenary.

HRH The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in September 2019

HRH The Princess Royal visited Cheshire on 29th September. Her Royal Highness, Sponsor, HMS Albion, attended a Freedom of the City of Chester Parade for HMS ALBION, attended a Reception at Chester Town Hall to mark its One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary, and later attended a Service in Chester Cathedral to mark the exercising of the Freedom of the City of Chester by the Captain and Ship’s Company of HMS ALBION.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visits Cheshire in April 2019

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Cheshire on 1 April and carried out engagements at Alstom Transport Technology Centre, Widnes; at The Brindley in Runcorn (in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Opening of Runcorn Station); at 2M House (incorporating 2M Academy and STEM Centre) Sutton Weaver; and at Norton Priory Museum, Runcorn.

HRH The Earl of Wessex Visits Cheshire in November 2018

HRH The Earl of Wessex visited Cheshire on 19 November and carried out engagements at St Luke’s Hospice in Winsford, Neston High School and Bridge Community Farm in Ellesmere Port.

HRH The Princess Royal Visits Cheshire in September 2018

HRH The Princess Royal visited Cheshire on 10 September. Her Royal Highness, Patron of The Butler Trust, carried out an engagement at HMP Risley and subsequently formally opened Cheshire Fire Authority’s Safety Central at Lymm.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester Visits Cheshire in June 2018

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited The Royal Cheshire County Show on 19 June, and then went on to Widnes to open LPW Technology’s new production plant, and to Northwich to open the Cheshire Gymnastics Performance Centre at Moss Farm.

HM The Queen and HRH The Duchess of Sussex visit Cheshire in June 2018

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex, opened the Mersey Gateway Bridge on Thursday 14 June.

The Royal Party then visited Chester where Her Majesty opened Storyhouse Arts Centre before proceeding to the Town Hall for Lunch.

HRH The Duke of York visits Cheshire in May 2018

HRH The Duke of York visited Brine Leas School in Nantwich on 22 May.

HRH The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in May 2018

HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of The Royal College of Midwives, visited Warrington Hospital Maternity Unit on 2 May.

HRH The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in March 2018

HRH The Princess Royal visited Cheshire on 16th March, and attended the 25th Anniversary Commemoration Service of the Warrington Bombing.

HRH The Earl of Wessex visits Cheshire in March 2018

HRH The Earl of Wessex visited Cheshire on 12th March and attended the launch of the Merseyside and Cheshire Commonwealth Association at Chester Racecourse.

TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visit Cheshire in January 2018

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Cheshire on 24 January, carrying out engagements in Congleton.

  • As President of the National Trust, His Royal Highness visited Quarry Bank Mill Styal.
  • As Patron of the National Literacy Trust, Her Royal Highness visited the Clink Restaurant at HMP Styal.

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester visits Cheshire in October 2017

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester visited Cheshire on 19 October and carried out the following engagements:

  • Opened Stick ‘n Step’s Cheshire Centre in Runcorn
  • Opened the Centenary Studio at The Hammond School in Chester
  • Presented The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2017 to the Volunteers of the NeuroMuscular Centre in Winsford.

HRH The Countess of Wessex visits Cheshire in June 2017

HRH The Countess of Wessex, Patron, visited The David Lewis Centre’s community-based projects in Fence Avenue, Macclesfield on 7 June.

HRH The Duke of York visits Cheshire in November 2016

HRH The Duke of York visited Cheshire on 7 November and opened the Warrington University Technical College (UTC).

HRH The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in October 2016

HRH the Princess Royal visited on 24 October and carried out the following engagements:

  • As Patron of UK Youth, opened the Fermain Academy Macclesfield
  • Opened a new confectionery manufacturing facility at Wrights Food Group, Crewe
  • Opened a new research and development building at Bentley Motors, Crewe.

HRH The Countess of Wessex visits Cheshire in February 2016

HRH The Countess of Wessex, retiring President of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, attended and presided at the Society’s Annual General Meeting held at Combermere Abbey on 25 February.

HRH The Earl of Wessex visits Cheshire in February 2016

HRH The Earl of Wessex, Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, visited Cheshire on 23 February in connection with the Diamond Anniversary of the Award, and carried out engagements at Birchwood, Warrington and Eaton Hall, Chester.

HRH The Duke of York visits Cheshire in February 2016

HRH The Duke of York attended the Pitch@thePalace North event at Alderley Park on 2 February.

HRH The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in November 2015

HRH The Princess Royal visited Cheshire on 4 November 2015 and carried out the following engagements:

  • Opened the new Widnes Police Station
  • As Patron of Transaid, visited the Eddie Stobart Training Academy at Stretton Green Distribution Park
  • As Patron of the College of Occupational Therapists, visited the Independent Living Centre, Dean Row, Wilmslow.

HRH The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in June 2015

HRH The Princess Royal (Royal Patron) attended a Celebration Event for the Home Farm Trust at Arley Hall on 25 June.

HRH The Countess of Wessex visits Cheshire in June 2015

HRH The Countess of Wessex (President of the Cheshire Agricultural Society) visited the Cheshire County Show on 23 and 24 June.

HRH The Earl of Wessex visits Cheshire in May 2015

HRH The Earl of Wessex visited Cheshire on 20 May 2015. His Royal Highness officially opened the new Ellesmere Port Sports Village and then went on to the Riverside Campus of the University of Chester as part of the 175th Anniversary celebrations of teacher training in Cheshire.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visits Cheshire in April 2015

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Cheshire on 1 April 2015 and carried out the following engagements:

  • Opened the Bread Production Plant at Frank Roberts and Sons Limited, Rudheath, Northwich
  • Opened the School Hall at Barrow Church of England Primary School, Barrow to commemorate the school’s 150th Anniversary
  • His Royal Highness, Grand Prior, the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, visited the St John Ambulance pop-up training centre in Runcorn Shopping Centre and afterwards visited the Town Hall, Runcorn to commemorate the town’s 1100th Anniversary.

HRH The Duke of York visits Cheshire in March 2015

HRH The Duke of York visited Cheshire on 9 March 2015 to meet trainees and apprentices at Bentley Motors.

HRH The Duke of Kent visits Cheshire in November 2014

HRH The Duke of Kent visited Cheshire on 27 November 2014 and carried out engagements at Fairfield & Howley Community Project, Warrington (where he presented the volunteers with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2014), Heat Trace Ltd, Helsby (where he presented the company with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation) 2014, and at Waters Corporation, Wilmslow.

HRH The Countess of Wessex visits Cheshire in October 2014

HRH The Countess of Wessex visited Cheshire on 22 October and carried out engagements at Brainwave North West in Birchwood, Warrington, the Tim Parry/Johnathan Ball Peace Centre in Warrington and the David Lewis Centre in Warford, Alderley Edge.

TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall Visit Cheshire in September 2014

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, Earl and Countess of Chester, visited Chester on 12 September 2014 and carried out engagements at Lache Primary School, Lache Integrated Early Support Centre and at Chester Cathedral. Her Royal Highness subsequently opened the new Haygarth Building at The Countess of Chester Hospital and also opened the adjoining Countess of Chester Country Park.

The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in February 2014

HRH the Princess Royal visited Cheshire on 26 February and carried out the following engagements:

  • Officially opened BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Munitions Facility at BAE Radway Green
  • As President of the Cheshire County Show 2013, chaired the Annual General Meeting of the Cheshire Agricultural Society held at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal.

The Duchess of Gloucester visits Cheshire in October 2013

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester visited the East Cheshire Hospice in Macclesfield on 9th October 2013 in celebration of their 25th Anniversary, where The Duchess was invited by ANP Sarah Dale to cut the 25th Anniversary Cake.

The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in June 2013

HRH the Princess Royal (President of the Cheshire Agricultural Society) visited the Cheshire County Show on 19 June.

The Earl of Wessex visits Cheshire in April 2013

HRH The Earl of Wessex visited Cheshire on 16 April and carried out the following engagements:

  • Visited Bentley Motors in Crewe
  • Opened the refurbished South Cheshire College
  • Met Cheshire East Council Apprentices at Crewe Town Hall
  • Opened the Broad Street Project of the Cheshire Academy for Integrated Sport & Arts
  • Launched the Cheshire Community Foundation at Bentley Motors

The Duchess of Gloucester visits Cheshire in October 2012

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester visited Cheshire on 16 October and carried out the following engagements:

  • Opened the Diamond Jubilee Garden at Chester Cathedral
  • Presented the Queen’s Award for to Dee Sign Choir and to Chester Adult PHAB at Chester Town Hall
  • Presented the O2 Think Big Young People’s Awards 2012 at O2 Preston Brook

The Duke of Gloucester visits Cheshire in July 2012

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Cheshire on 18 July and carried out the following engagements:

  • Opened the Cheshire Youth Federation Canvas for Youth Contemporary Art Fair at Hartford High School
  • Presented the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (International Trade) to Oliver Valvetek Ltd. of Knutsford
  • Presented the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (International Trade and Innovation) to ICC Solutions Ltd. of Warrington
  • Visited Warrington Youth Club

The Countess of Wessex visits Cheshire in June 2012

HRH The Countess of Wessex, Patron, visited The David Lewis Centre in Warford on 19 June where she met students and residents and officially opened JD’s Social Club.

The Countess later visited the Cheshire Show at Tabley where she joined the President for lunch before touring the Showground and later presented prizes.

The Queen visits Cheshire in May 2012

HM The Queen, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, visited Cheshire on 17 May as part of the North West Diamond Jubilee Regional Tour.

Her Majesty, having stayed overnight in Ellesmere Port on MY Leander, opened the new Diamond Jubilee Quarter at Chester Zoo and subsequently opened Orford Jubilee Park in Warrington.

HRH The Duke of York visits Cheshire in October 2011

On 7th October, HRH The Duke of York visited TTE Training in Ellesmere Port, before going on to Daresbury Science & Innovation Centre where he opened Vanguard House. Finally, His Royal Highness visited Jodrell Bank.

The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in September 2011

As Sponsor of HMS Albion, HRH The Princess Royal attended the Freedom of the City of Chester parade on 21st September. Her Royal Highness, who is Patron of Catch22, later visited the Early Intervention Family Support Service at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port. Finally, The Princess, as Commandant in Chief (Youth) of St John Ambulance, presented The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to the Volunteers of Cheshire Young Carers at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall.

HRH The Duke of Kent visits Cheshire in September 2011

The Duke of Kent visited Cheshire on Friday 16 September. His Royal Highness formally opened the Exhibition Village at the Celebrate Cheshire Event at Chester Racecourse organised by Marketing Cheshire and Cheshire Business Leaders. What follows is an extract from The Duke’s Speech:

“It is very clear from what I have seen and heard this morning that Cheshire has excellent business credentials, a thriving enterprise culture and a highly skilled workforce, and all these are clearly exemplified by the various companies and organisations taking part in the exhibition.

Your County has had remarkable success in attracting and retaining some of the world’s best known and most successful Companies alongside family and niche market enterprises. All of them I know have contributed to the wealth of the County and I realise that you remain very ambitious for the area and want to sustain and build on the success already achieved.

My congratulations therefore to all involved in the event, which is an excellent example of the public, private, voluntary, charitable and community sectors working together for the economic and social well-being of the County, and ultimately of the country.”

The Duke then travelled to the new Ellesmere Port Campus of the West Cheshire College and presented the Employer of the Year Award for Supporting Training and Apprenticeships to Unilever.

His Royal Highness later visited Cheshire Fire Service HQ at Winsford in recognition of the Service’s national achievement as Fire Service of the Year.

The Duke & Duchess of Gloucester visit Cheshire in July 2011

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke & Duchess of Gloucester visited Cheshire on 19 July. His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant, formally opened the new Christ The King Catholic & Church of England Primary School in Macclesfield before visiting Macclesfield Town Hall to commemorate the 750th Anniversary of the granting of the Town’s Charter.

Her Royal Highness, accompanied by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, opened the refurbished Queen’s Park in Crewe and subsequently visited Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Hill House in Sandbach.

Their Royal Highnesses then visited the RHS Show Tatton Park.

HRH The Countess of Wessex visits Warrington D.A.D. in July 2010

HRH The Countess of Wessex visited Warrington Disability Awareness Day Mental Health Event at Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington on 7 July.

The Mental Health Event was one of 12 complementary events being held in the run-up to the 20th Anniversary Disability Awareness Day on 10th July. Her Royal Highness met Mental Health Service Users, Carers and support organisations, and saw exhibitions of artwork, therapies, and healthy living projects. The Countess also spent some time with the team of D.A.D. volunteers – previous winners of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – who have contributed so much to the success of Disability Awareness Day.

HRH The Princess Royal attends Carol Service in December 2010

The Lord-Lieutenant received HRH The Princess Royal when she attended the Northern National Carol Service at Chester Cathedral on 8th December.

The Princess Royal visits Cheshire in October 2010

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially opened Cheshire Constabulary’s new Tactical Training Centre in Winsford on 11 October. The Tactical Training Centre allows firearms and public order officers to train in a purpose built environment, one of the very few such facilities in the country.

Later, Her Royal Highness, Patron of The Butler Trust, visited HMP Styal. The Trust celebrates outstanding dedication, skill and creativity on the part of thos working in correctional settings across the UK. Her Royal Highness opened the new Iris Healthcare Centre and the Media & Communication suite as well as visiting the Award-winning Mother & Baby Unit.

The Prince of Wales visits Cheshire in July 2010

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visited Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate on 16th July in his capacity as President of the National Trust and also in his role as President and Founder of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust – which specialises in restoring old buildings.

The Prince toured the Victorian Apprentice House and grounds and sat in with children from the nearby Styal Primary School who were taking part in a Victorian school lesson.

The Prince then walked through Quarry Bank Gardens and visited the Mill talking to volunteers and staff.

The photograph, provided by the National Trust, shows His Royal Highness with Alan Knapper, Quarry Bank’s Head Gardener.

The Queen visits Cheshire in June 2010

Her Majesty The Queen visited Cheshire on 10 June 2010.

Arriving at Crewe Station, Her Majesty travelled to Reaseheath College, Nantwich, where she met staff and students at the College’s new Equine Centre, before officially opening the Learning Resource Centre at the Centrepoint Building.

The Queen then went on to Chester. As Colonel-in-Chief, she visited the Royal Welsh at Chester Racecourse and presented campaign medals to soldiers of the 1st Battalion who recently returned from operations in Afghanistan.