If you’re planning to see HM The Queen next week, this from the council should help with timings (see timetable at bottom of article). Ed
Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, will visit Cowes on Wednesday 25 July, on what is the final day of Her Majesty’s regional Diamond Jubilee tour.
Thousands of people are expected to line Prince’s Green and The Parade to welcome the Royal Party to the Isle of Wight.
Arriving by Motor Yacht Leander
Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will arrive in Cowes aboard the Motor Yacht (MY) Leander, through a ‘Parade of Sail’ by superyachts taking part in a regatta. To mark The Queen’s arrival, a 21 gun salute will be fired from the Royal Yacht Squadron before the Royal Party comes ashore at Trinity Landing.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will be met by the Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White along with civic dignitaries. The Royal Party will then walk along the seafront, stopping to unveil a new plaque commemorating The Queen’s visit and her Diamond Jubilee. It is positioned opposite a plaque to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and has been provided by Cowes Town Council.
School children to sing original piece
Also on The Parade, pupils from Cowes Primary School will sing a short song called ‘The Nation’s Crown’ written and composed by their music teacher Mrs Becky Bevan to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Following the performance the Royal Party will continue to the RNLI lifeboat station which HM The Queen will formally open.
Official The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Reverend Christopher Foster will conduct a service of boathouse dedication in which the new building will be blessed. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will meet crew and donors before a new lifeboat ‘Sheena Louise’ is launched by a crew member.
Exhibitions at Cowes Yacht Haven
The Royal Party will then travel by launch to Cowes Yacht Haven, where they will view displays from a number of marine volunteer and mainly youth organisations: The Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO), Cowes and Ryde Sea Cadets, The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS), The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Sea Scouts, Royal Yachting Association (RYA), UKSA and Cowes Sailability Club.
Island based Michelin Star chef Robert Thompson will present Her Majesty The Queen with a hamper containing Isle of Wight produce and specialities, along with a smaller one for the Queen’s corgies, containing Isle of Wight biltong.
Commemorative glass bowl
Before her departure, Her Majesty will be presented with a specially commissioned commemorative glass bowl from the people of the Isle of Wight made by Isle of Wight Studio Glass and designed by Tim Harris.
Major General Martin White, said: “It is a great honour to be welcoming Her Majesty to the Island on the final day of her Diamond Jubilee Tour. I am looking forward to introducing The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to individuals and organisations that make valuable contributions to Island life and I know come rain or shine – Islanders will give Her Majesty the warmest welcome on Wednesday.”
Public information
Information for members of the public planning to attend Cowes for the Queen’s visit.
Parking in Cowes is very limited, people are strongly advised to use public transport.
Park and Ride – the ‘Royal Return’
A special park and ride service from Church Litten in Newport to Cowes will be operated by Southern Vectis on Wednesday 25 July.
The ‘Royal Return’ is priced at £3.00. Parking charges will be suspended in council run car parks in Newport until 1.30pm to encourage people to leave their cars in Newport.
Buses will depart on a 15 minute frequency from 7am until 10am from Church Litten in Newport to Cowes High School, a short walk from Prince’s Green and The Parade.
They will return to Church Litten from Cowes High School on a 15 minute frequency from 11am until 1pm.
Please note, concessions or freedom passes will not be accepted on the special ‘Royal Return’ park and ride buses.
There are a number of car parks in Cowes, but these are expected to fill up quickly. Northwood House Trustees plan to provide additional parking in the grounds of the house – weather permitting.
Victoria Parade, Cowes
The best place to see The Queen during her visit is along Victoria Parade in Cowes. The area will be closed to all traffic for the visit, meaning there will be space for 12,000 people. Bring along your flags and give The Queen a warm Isle of Wight welcome.
Princes Green
The Royal Party will arrive in Cowes by sea and sail past Prince’s Green aboard a large motor yacht. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will view superyachts moored just off Cowes which are taking part in the Superyacht Cup.
Members of the public wishing to see the Queen sail past should head to the green for 9.30am. Binoculars recommended.
Timetable
9.45am – The Queen begins sailing from Gurnard towards Cowes aboard MY Leander.
9.55am – The Queen sails past the Royal Yacht Squadron
10.10am – The Queen arrives at Trinity Landing, Cowes
10.30am – The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive at RNLI station
11.05am – The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Cowes Yacht Haven
11.40am – The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh depart
Marine restrictions
There will be a number of exclusion zones in place in the Solent and Cowes Harbour for the duration of the visit.
Details can be found on Cowes Harbour Commission’s website here http://cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/pages/notices
Image: Michael Gwyther-Jones under CC BY 2.0
