It’s been more than three decades since a sitting Monarch has visited Middlesbrough – but this week, the King and Queen will be gracing Teessiders with a special royal visit.
Charles and Camilla will arrive at Centre Square on Thursday (February 13) – the first time a Head of State has been to Middlesbrough since Queen Elizabeth II in 1993.
It will mark the King’s first visit to the North East as Monarch, with his last visit being to Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle in April 2022 ahead of his Coronation.
The visit also comes one year after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer, which saw his public engagements postponed for a short period of time.
King Charles (Image: PA)
He started receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer in February – but made good progress and returned to public-facing duties last April.
Thankfully, reports last year suggest his treatment is “moving in the right direction” – and he’s now set to carry out one of his first official engagements of the year on Teesside.
Ahead of their arrival, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming event, and their past visits to Teesside and the wider North East.
When will the King and Queen be in Middlesbrough?
Their Majesties will arrive in Middlesbrough this Thursday, where they will take part in several engagements before appearing in Centre Square, off Albert Road.
Centre Square is located opposite the Cleveland Centre and is surrounded by Middlesbrough Town Hall and the MIMA art museum and gallery.
What is happening at the event – and at what time?
The celebration event in Centre Square will begin at 1pm and end at approximately 3pm.
The King and Queen will walk through the square before meeting local dignitaries during the visit, with members of the public able to watch on.
Centre Square in Middlesbrough
Local musician and mental health campaigner Mike McGrother will lead performances of songs and poetry that celebrate the Middlesbrough area, with his Infant Hercules Choir and band The Wildcats of Kilkenny.
There are three parts to the performance titled Erimus, The Infant Hercules and The Infinite Hercules.
An event is being organised by Middlesbrough Council with the support of Teesside University, which will entertain crowds before Their Majesties appear.
Why are they coming to Middlesbrough?
The King and Queen have a string of engagements planned for their visit to the region.
However, details regarding these remain under wraps at this time, with only the information around the celebration event being public.
When was the King’s last visit to the North East?
King Charles was last in the North East in April 2022, when he visited Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle ahead of his Coronation.
King Charles (Image: Sarah Caldecott)
During the visit, he spoke to farmers, viewed Highland Cattle, and enjoyed tea and cake during a visit to Darlington Farmers Auction Mart.
He also officially opened the Humbleton Park facility before visiting Kromek’s factory in Sedgefield for a guided tour of the laboratories and production facilities.
He then joined Queen Letizia, the Queen of Spain, in their shared love of art to open a new gallery, visiting Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland.
When was the Queen’s last visit to the North East?
Queen Camilla has more recently stepped food on northern soil, visiting RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire, last September as part of a RAF base tour.
The Queen at RAF Leeming (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
There, she was enthused about homegrown produce when she met families who had transformed a corner of an Air Force base into a smallholding.
When was the last time a Head of State visited Middlesbrough?
King Charles III’s visit will be the first to Middlesbrough by a Head of State since his mother Queen Elizabeth II officially opened Pallister Park in 1993.
What has the mayor said?
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke branded their visit as “wonderful news” for the town: “I know people will be very excited to welcome the King and Queen.”
I want to attend – can I bring a bag?
There will be a visible police presence and event security staff in and around Centre Square to help keep people safe, with people asked to only bring bags smaller than A4 in size.
People attending the event may be searched.
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Please ask for help or directions if you need them and look out for others who may need support from staff.
All visitors should remain alert and report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable to security staff or police.
There is also a designated area for wheelchair users within the event space. Places are limited for both wheelchair users and carers – so please contact events@middlesbrough.gov.uk to request a place before Tuesday, February 11.