A spectacular flotilla of 70 boats welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to Kingston to rejoice the 1100 anniversary of the crowning of Athelstan, the primary King of England, proper right here within the city.
The occasion was a part of the Kingston 2025 River Cultures Competition, celebrating the central position the river has performed all through historical past within the communities and tradition of the Royal Borough.
His Royal Highness took a salute from the 70-strong procession of vessels which snaked its method up the Thames from Raven’s Ait in Surbiton to Canbury Gardens in Kingston. One of many greatest flotillas to sail this stretch of the Thames, crafts of all sizes and shapes from the Saxon period to modern-day have been crewed by sailors in costume, representing many alternative elements of the tradition of Kingston.
Earlier than taking the royal salute, The Duke formally opened the brand new Athelstan Gardens on Queen’s Promenade, planting a tree and unveiling a commemorative plaque. His Royal Highness met representatives from the Buddies of Queens Promenade, who designed and created the backyard. The Duke additionally greeted key members of the neighborhood together with Kingston Council Chief Cllr Andreas Kirsch, the Mayor of Kingston, and representatives from Group Mind, Citizen Zoo, Namaste Kingston and International Heritage Bengal and kids from the Rewilding Rangers group.
Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston Cllr Noel Hadjimichael stated:
“It was an awesome honour to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to Kingston at present for this implausible River Cultures Competition. The occasion is a part of the Kingston 2025 celebrations, marking the borough’s particular royal connections as the positioning of the coronation of Athelstan, first King of England.
“The spectacular flotilla of over 70 boats crusing down the Thames in entrance of The Duke was unbelievable. The river is so nicely cherished by our communities and an integral a part of the event of Kingston – this magnificent occasion and the attendance of our very particular royal customer is a superb solution to honour it.”
The River Cultures Competition continued following the departure of His Royal Highness, with native crews participating in thrilling river races between Raven’s Ait and Kingston Bridge.
Whereas on land at Canbury Gardens crowds loved neighborhood stalls, scrumptious meals, open air music on the bandstand, youngsters’s theatre performances and an interactive maypole workshop.
Kingston 2025 is a significant 6-month cultural celebration of previous, current and future within the Royal Borough of Kingston. It marks the 1100 anniversary of the coronation of King Athelstan within the coronary heart of the borough.
