All Welcome to Hear David Rose’s Talk on the History of Royalty in Surrey

Published on: 6 Nov, 2023
Updated on: 5 Nov, 2023

Local historian and writer David Rose is giving his illustrated talk on the history of royalty in Surrey at Godalming Baptist Church on Friday evening, November 17.

The illustrated talk will begin with the coronation stone at Kingston upon Thames (once part of Surrey), claimed to be where a number of Anglo-Saxon kings were crowned, continuing with Henry II’s royal deer park that covered some 1,620 acres, and included what today are housing estates to the west of Guildford town.

As well as Guildford castle, other royal residents in the county will be featured such Henry VII’s Hampton Court Palace, Oatlands at Weybridge and Woking Palace.

Victoria, both as a child and later as queen, was a frequent visitor to Claremont in Esher. There will also be details of Victoria and Albert’s visit to the great military camp at Chobham.

In more recent times, a visit by George V and Queen Mary to Whiteley Village near Weybridge in 1921 will be featured along with Princess Elizabeth’s wartime military service that included time at Camberley, where she learned about vehicle engine maintenance.

Then of course Queen Elizabeth II’s visits to Guildford on a number of occasions including: in 1957 on the occasion of the the 700th anniversary of the town’s first royal charter, the consecration of the cathedral in 1961, the opening of the Royal Surrey County Hospital in 1981, the distribution of Maundy Money in 2006 and the opening the University of Surrey’s school of veterinary in 2016.

With a lot more within the talk as well, its ends with the proclamation of King Charles III from the steps of Holy Trinity Church, Guildford in September 2022, and most likely his first official visit to Surrey as king in March 2023.

To reserve a ticket at £5 per person, call Sally Pollard at Godalming Baptist Church on 01483 428646, or send an email to pollard3@hotmail.co.uk

There will be coffee from 7pm before that talk, and the talk starts at 7.30pm.

Godalming Baptist Church is in Queen Street GU7 1BA and there is a public car park (free during the evenings) almost next to the church.