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26
May
VIDEO: King visits his castle on historic day for Knaresborough
For a town with a strong royal tradition, Knaresborough has waited a long time for a visit from its monarch.
Knaresborough Castle, which dates from Norman times, was regarded as an important northern fortress by King John in the early 1200s.
King John distributed the first recorded Maundy alms in Knaresborough in 1210 when he gave gifts to the poor, and the castle was a royalist stronghold during the civil war until 1644.
But it’s not known whether a monarch has visited the town since John prior to Charles III today.
The visit was unannounced, but as rumours circulated and the castle yard was sealed off amid a heavy police presence, crowds began to gather early afternoon.
They were not disappointed when the king, who owns the castle through his Duchy of Lancaster estate, arrived shortly after 2pm in a light grey suit on a sweltering day in which he had already been to York.
After a short tour of the castle remains, he briefly talked to the assembled crowd, looking relaxed.
Kathy Allday, chair of Knaresborough Museum Association, even managed a brief word about its campaign to spruce up the castle.
King Charles in Knaresborough. Photo: Knaresborough Town Council
King Charles shaking hands with Cllr Matt Walker. Photo: Jatinder Singh Kalsi.
One onlooker, Karen Holmes, was thrilled to receive a royal handshake — and then pledged not to wash it for a week.
Asked by the Stray Ferret if His Royal Highness spoke to her, Karen replied: "Yes, he shook my hand and I told him he was visiting on my birthday, and he said I look dapper in my hat".
The king’s visit even inspired some satirical memes, including this one by Robb Turner about the ongoing closure of the paddling pool in Bebra Gardens.
Credit: Robb Turner
The king left Knaresborough to visit Harrogate Ladies’ College and then his cavalcade of cars was spotted driving on to the Stray to catch the royal helicopter.
Driving on the Stray would usually be a criminal offence but Charles III owns the 200 acres of land through the Duchy of Lancaster.
With two waves to the crowd, he stepped aboard and flew off, in a scene reminiscent of his helicopter departure following a trip to the Great Yorkshire Show in 2021.
The king had well and truly claimed his castle — and given Knaresborough one of its most memorable royal days for centuries.
King Charles in Knaresborough. Photo: Jatinder Singh Kalsi.
King Charles III in Knaresborough. Credit: Knaresborough Photography
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