Historic Tribute

It’s eight years ago today that the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh helped the Hampshire market town of Romsey  commemorate the 400th anniversary of Romsey being granted a Royal Charter.
Their official visit to the town was to unveil a plaque and specially designed Charter Stone erected in the shadow of the town’s historic Norman Abbey.
They attended a service of commemoration at the Abbey and it was after the service that the Queen unveiled a plaque, designed by Rod Hoyle, at the Charter Stone watched by a crowd which included Gary Breeze, the sculptor, who had carved the stone.
The Charter Stone stands in Church Place, and the local newspaper, the Romsey Advertiser, reported that up to 6,000 people crowded into the town’s Market Place as the Queen and the Duke walked through the town centre to the Town Hall where they were able to see the original Charter document signed by King James in 1607.
 
Lord Braebourne, who is Prince Philip’s godson and lifelong friend, and cousin of the Prince of Wales, also presented them with a copy of the Charter before they headed for his Broadlands Estate on the outskirts of the town, where the Queen re-enacted the planting of a Mulberry Tree first planted on a visit by King James after the town was put firmly on the map.
 
Today, the Charter Stone is a tribute to the town’s historic and illustrious history.