Here we share some memories of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's visits to the Cathedral.
On 30th July 1956 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took their first visit to Chichester. They attended a service, dedicating a chapel to the Royal Navy and the people of West Sussex who gave their lives at sea in World War II and have no known graves as ‘The Sailors’ Chapel’.
The Queen showed "great interest" in the ancient structure of the Cathedral, remarking that she "could well believe it was a very loveable building".¹
She visited again on 27th March 1986 with The Duke of Edinburgh for The Royal Maundy Service, the only time this service has taken place in Sussex. Her Majesty distributed Maundy Money to local pensioners in recognition for their contribution to community and to the church from Chichester.
See the original newspaper clippings from 1986 below:
Above: The front page of the West Sussex Gazette from 3rd April 1956. Photo courtesy of Sussex World (formerly The West Sussex Gazette). Reproduced with permission of West Sussex Record Office.
Above: Queen Elizabeth receives flowers from children outside the Cathedral. Photo courtesy of Sussex World (formerly The West Sussex Gazette). Reproduced with permission of West Sussex Record Office.
Above: The newspaper clipping stating 'History is made at Sussex ceremony'. Photo courtesy of Sussex World (formerly The West Sussex Gazette). Reproduced with permission of West Sussex Record Office.
¹ Source: Sussex World (Wednesday, 25th May 2022)