The King made a landmark visit Lancaster Castle today.
King Charles took part in a short Ceremony of the Keys before meeting representatives from local businesses showcasing their work.
The King also joined a reception celebrating Lancashire and its communities.
Lancaster Castle has stood at the heart of Lancaster for nearly 1,000 years.
The King made a landmark visit Lancaster Castle today.
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This historic building formed the backdrop of the first official visit to Lancashire by the King since he became monarch.
On arrival, King Charles took part in the Castle’s short Ceremony of the Keys.
The monarch has taken part in the tradition when visiting the Castle since 1851, when keys were first presented to Queen Victoria.
Queen Elizabeth II took part in the Ceremony of the Keys during her visit to the castle in 2015.
Schoolchildren lined the King’s route into the Castle, and His Majesty’s entrance was accompanied by a performance from a military band.
On arrival, King Charles took part in the Castle’s short Ceremony of the Keys.
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Inside the Castle grounds, the King viewed work in the region, including Butlers’ Farmhouse Cheeses, which started trading in 1932; Northern Yarn, which produces breed-specific yarns that help to support the British wool industry; Neal Jones Furniture Ltd, previous winners of a King’s Award for Enterprise; and Teleplan Forsberg, which produces technology for navigation equipment.
King Charles went on to join a reception celebrating the county.
Guests will include representatives from Escape 2 Make a charity that helps young people escape from modern-day pressures through creative workshops and activities St John’s Hospice in the city, the Lancaster Literature Festival and a local World War II Veteran.
Before departure, The King met a Fijian Choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment - made up of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members who will be performing throughout the visit.
King Charles went on to tour a couple of small business units at the Castle and meet some apprentice stone carvers who have been involved with the restoration of the castle.
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King Charles went on to tour a couple of small business units at the Castle and meet some apprentice stone carvers who have been involved with the restoration of the castle.
At the end of the visit, King Charles unveiled a plaque, carved by local sculptor Alan War at his studio within the Castle.
Originally a Roman site, the present Lancaster Castle was founded in the 11th century.
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Over the centuries, it served as a royal fortress, prison, and court, playing a central role in regional governance and justice and now operating as a heritage attraction, courthouse, and cultural venue.
The Duchy of Lancaster has recently undertaken extensive restoration and conservation work to preserve and enhance the site.
The Duchy of Lancaster is a private estate in England and Wales that has served as the personal property of the reigning monarch since 1399, held independently of all other Crown assets.
Today, the estate covers over 41,000 acres across Cheshire, Lancashire, Southern, Staffordshire and Yorkshire.
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