Delving into our history of right royal celebrations
While communities across North Yorkshire prepare to celebrate the Coronation , a glimpse into the North Yorkshire archive confirms that this is far from the county’s first right royal affair.
Archivists at the County Record Office have shared the selection of images and documents on this page to offer a snapshot of how county folk have celebrated through the generations.
They cover the decades, from a visit by Edward, Prince of Wales – later Edward VII – to Scarborough in 1870 to celebrations in Catterick village to mark the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II more than a century later.
Celebrations in Knaresborough for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in June 1887.
A poster advertising celebrations at Reeth for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in June 1897.
Edward, Prince of Wales (crowned Edward VII in 1902), stayed in Scarborough as the guest of the Londesborough family in 1869, 1870 and 1871. In 1870, he attended Sarony's photographic studio on the South Cliff and this portrait is a record of his visit.
Celebrations in Knaresborough for the Coronation of George V in June 1911.
A poster advertising celebrations to mark the Coronation of George VI in 1937, from the Killinghall Parish Council collection.
A souvenir programme of celebrations in the village of Bradley to mark the Coronation of Elizabeth II in June 1953, from the Cononley Parish Records collection.
On 8 June 1961, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and first cousin to the Queen, and Katherine Worsley of Hovingham Hall, North Yorkshire, were married at York Minster. Princess Anne was one of the bridesmaids, and other members of the Royal Family attended, including the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles.
Edward, Duke of Kent and Katherine Worsley on their wedding day, 1961.
Celebrations in Catterick village to mark the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 1977, from Catterick Parish Council records.
No doubt, there will be additions to the archive following the coronation of Charles III on Saturday, 6 May, to preserve for future generations the way we marked this historic occasion.
The archive images on this page are among more than 6,500 available at the County Record Office. Browse the collection or buy photos.