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 monarch.The 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 Parker.He 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 tradition.The 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 majesty.Schoolchildren 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 Lancaster.After the ceremony, the King will meet with local business representatives and attend a reception with a wide range of community organisations.In 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 added.Lancaster 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.
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