The royal couple arrived in town on January 20, 2023 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Bolton Town Hall, originally opened by King Edward VII in 1873.
Residents filled Victoria Square, waving flags and engaging with the Royals, while 150 children from local organizations welcomed them on the town hall steps.
Inside, Their Majesties viewed an exhibition showcasing the town’s civic history and met representatives from various community groups.
The community gathered to show their support (Credit: Henry Lisowski)
The then mayor of Bolton, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, expressed pride in the town’s diverse spirit, saying: “As mayor of Bolton, it was my privilege to lead the proclamation of King Charles III from the steps of town hall last September, following the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
“On that day, I spoke to Bolton residents in the crowd, and they told me about their excitement for the new King and their optimism for the year ahead.
“Little did any of us know that just a few months later we would be welcoming King Charles III himself to the town hall to celebrate the 150th anniversary of this historic building.
“Today was all about celebrating the friendly, diverse and vibrant town of Bolton, and inviting The King and The Queen Consort to meet local charities, sports team and volunteers who help make it such a great place to live.”
King Charles III and the Queen Consort meeting school children during a visit to Bolton Town Hall (Credit: Supplied)
The town hall, which is a hub for community events and gatherings, was recognised for its architectural significance and the role it played in local governance.
Then council leader, Cllr Martyn Cox, said: “Bolton Town Hall is a spectacular piece of architecture, and local people are as proud of it today as they were in 1873.
“The building represents 150 years of civic activity, which has seen Royal visits, sporting triumphs and celebrations to mark major landmarks in British history.
“We are all grateful to King Charles III and the Queen Consort for visiting Bolton.
“It was yet another of those historic occasions, and I’m sure the people of Bolton will look back on it in another 150 years.”
How Bolton welcomed King Charles III for a historic 150th celebration (Image: PA)
On the day, families enjoyed performances, food stalls, and exhibitions that showcased Bolton’s history.
Jo Grundy, head of The Oaks Primary School, said: “We had a fabulous time meeting King Charles and Camila, Queen Consort.
“The King was so kind and thoughtful. He took time to move along the crowd and stopped to talk to us. He said he hoped we hadn’t been out in the cold too long waiting.
“He asked which school we were from.
“He joked that his visit had been a distraction from our day job!
“The children had a wonderful time and said it was ‘the best day ever’!
“The memories will stay with us forever!”