Latest news with #LancasterCastle
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
King Charles urges D-Day veteran, 101, to ‘keep drinking whisky'
King Charles III has lauded a 101-year-old D-Day veteran as "amazing" and humorously advised him to "keep drinking the whisky" during a recent visit to Lancashire. The monarch met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at a reception held at Lancaster Castle on Monday. The King recognised Mr. Brock from a previous encounter in Normandy last year. Upon learning Mr. Brock's age, Charles exclaimed, "You are fantastic." As he departed, the King added with a smile, "Keep drinking the whisky." Mr. Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, recounted the King's words: "He just told me I was amazing for my age." His son, Tony Brock, who accompanied him to the reception, added, "He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it." Charles arrived at the castle shortly before 11am, where he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds waving Union flags, some of whom had been waiting since 5 a.m. to catch a glimpse of the King. Anti-monarchy protesters were also awaiting his arrival and could be heard chanting 'Not my king' as he left his vehicle. The group had a yellow banner which said 'Abolish the Monarchy' and held signs saying 'Not my King' and 'Ditch the Duchies'. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.' Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.' Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015. Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work. He expressed his love of cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. He smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any. She said: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.' The King was also gifted a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn. Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.' Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority, spoke to the King about his new role. Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.' 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 – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year. He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.'
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
King Charles III arrives to cheering crowds in Lancaster
King Charles III has arrived in Lancaster to cheering crowds for his first official visit as King, who is also the Duke of Lancaster, was greeted at the railway station from the royal train by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Amanda is visiting Lancaster Castle to be handed the keys to the castle in front of the John O'Gaunt gateway as part of an ancient ceremonial monarch has taken part in the Ceremony of the Keys when visiting the castle since 1851, when keys were first presented to Queen Victoria, with Queen Elizabeth II taking part in 2015. Pupils from Willow Lane Primary School were chosen to go to the ceremony and greet his from local secondary schools including Ripley St Thomas and Lancaster Girls' Grammar School lined the route outside the castle accompanied by a performance from a military band. The castle was built by Henry IV in the 15th Century as part of the castle defences and includes a statue of his father John of Gaunt, a key figure in the history of the Duchy of the ceremony, the King will meet with local business representatives and attend a reception with a wide range of community the crowds outside, Steve Chester, from Washington DC, said it he was "loving the experience", of his first time seeing a British monarch in the flesh. "Lancaster is a quaint, gorgeous town, I love it here," he University students, and "very proud Royalists" Matthew Lamb and Daniel Kirk, said they had come to "share their pride" at the Royal Family during the historic visit. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
All you need to know about King Charles III's visit to Lancaster
King Charles III is to visit Lancaster Castle later, with organisers planning to make the royal visit a "proud day" for the will mark the first time the King, who is also the Duke of Lancaster, has visited Lancashire since he was will close as huge crowds are expected in Lancaster to welcome the monarch, who will be handed the keys to the castle in front of the John O'Gaunt gateway as part in an ancient ceremonial Police said measures have been put in place to manage the influx of well wishers to the city, and warned people they will need to plan ahead to avoid disruption. What will the King do during his visit? King Charles will receive the keys in front of the John O'Gaunt gateway at the entrance to the castle. The structure was built by Henry IV in the 15th century as part of the castle defences and includes a statue of his father John of Gaunt, a key figure in the history of the Duchy of the ceremony, Pam Barker DL, Constable of the Castle, will officially present His Majesty with the King will then meet with local business representatives and attend a reception with a wide range of community from Willow Lane Primary School have been chosen to go to the ceremony and greet his majesty. What roads will be shut? Ch Supt Hassan Khan of Lancashire Police said there will be some disruption to traffic in the is expected to be very busy and people are advised to allow extra time for their will be road closures and diversions in place by Lancaster Castle from about 06:00 and restricted access areas have been created to allow for public viewing and event parking bays on St Mary's Parade will be suspended until 21:00 BST., while Dallas Road car park will be closed from 06:00 until 18:00 except by prior and business owners in the Castle Hill and Castle Park area have been contacted directly with details of alternative expecting deliveries have been told to reschedule for another will not be able to gain access to areas adjacent to St George's Quay due to road closures and the low railway bridge on the quayside. What has the council said? A spokesman for Lancaster City Council said "We appreciate these arrangements may cause some inconvenience and thank you in advance for your cooperation." A range of local organisations are working closely together to make sure the visit is a "proud and memorable moment for the city of Lancaster", he The authority added: "We hope you will take the opportunity to witness this historic occasion, and we thank you for helping to make it a success." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
