Royal visits to Eastbourne explored in new booklet

The first of many royal visitors to Eastbourne were the four youngest children of King George III, in 1780, before the town developed as ‘the Empress of Watering Places’.

The 7th Duke of Devonshire, who did so much to develop the town, played host to the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) who visited many times, including a visit in 1883 to open the Princess Alice Memorial Hospital and the new waterworks.

Local historian Alan Smith tells the story of the many royal visits to Eastbourne, as they were reported in the newspapers of the time, including the 1935 visit of King George V and Queen Mary, just months before the King’s death, and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Compton Place with her sister Margaret, when they were young girls.

Other royal visitors have included Princess Anne and Prince Charles and, in 1931, the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) who arrived by plane, drove all around the town and had Princes Park renamed in his honour.

‘Royal Visits to Eastbourne’ by Alan Smith, is a 40-page A5 illustrated booklet and costs just £5 plus £1.50 postage, details at www.eastbournehistory.org.uk/publications.

It is also available to buy at the Heritage Centre in Carlisle Rd (go to www.eastbourneheritagecentre.co.uk for opening hours)

For more information on this and a number of other publications from Eastbourne Local History Society, go to their website at www.eastbournehistory.org.uk