Royal Visit to Surrey History Centre

Published on: 5 Feb, 2024
Updated on: 6 Feb, 2024

The Duchess of Edinburgh is shown how to mark archaeological finds by Nowal Shaikhley Manager of the Surrey County Archaeological Unit

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Surrey’s History Centre in Woking last week (January 31) touring the centre’s extensive heritage services and meeting the staff and volunteers.

She was shown treasures from the centre’s collections, including a signed letter by Lady Jane Grey, a Tudor swan roll, photographs and papers relating to the Surrey regiments on the Western Front, early Surrey maps and a rare 18th-century handwritten Qur’an.

The Duchess is shown an album of photographs of the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment on the Western Front by Mike Page, Surrey County Archivist.

On a behind-the-scenes tour, the Duchess was shown how the collections are stored, conserved and protected for future generations and how members of the public are using the collections today.

She spoke to search room users, volunteers and staff members who told her of the current projects they are working on and met with local volunteers who work on community archaeology projects.

Surrey County Archaeological Unit staff explained their work at Ankerwycke Priory and West Horsley Place alongside their mounted display of archaeological finds from recent excavations at the two sites.

Mike Page, county archivist, thanked her Royal Highness for visiting to learn more about the amazing range of innovative work delivered by Surrey Heritage Centre.

Cllr Saj Hussain

SCC Cllr Saj Hussain (Lib Dem, Knaphill and Goldsworth West) said, “It was an honour to meet Her Royal Highness today on her visit and to discover more myself about some of the most fascinating records held here. The centre welcomes everyone who wishes to find out more about Surrey’s heritage, if you haven’t visited yet then do see the website for opening times and all the great services they offer.”

Find out more about Surrey History Centre here.