Cadets were on hand to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camila to Suffolk for their first official engagement in the county since the Coronation.
Their Majesties’ first stop on Tuesday 22 July was the National Stud, often said to be the heart of British horse racing, which sits a mile outside Newmarket just across the boundary with Cambridgeshire.
The Royal couple then took the short trip to Newmarket town centre to meet local residents. Preparations for the King and Queen’s arrival had been underway for some time, with crowds beginning to gather along their walking route early that morning.
Mildenhall and Newmarket Sea and Royal Marines Cadets (above) were tasked with handing out Union Flags to the waiting crowds who lined both sides of the High Street (below). The young people, looking smart in their uniforms, made a great impression with the crowds and were delighted to support the Their Majesties’ visit.
Members of the Newmarket Town Band were positioned near the Jockey Club—also based in the town—and played popular tunes for the crowd before striking up the National Anthem as the King and Queen arrived.
Dignitaries including Suffolk’s Lord-Lieutenant, councillors, local businesspeople, teachers and community groups had the opportunity to speak with Their Majesties outside the Newmarket’s King Edward VII Memorial Hall before the King and Queen moved to the crowds waiting to greet them.
Their Majesties shook hands and spent time chatting with people in the crowd before moving onto the Jockey Club, also based in Newmarket, for introductions, a tour and other business.
Among those presented to the King during the Royal visit was Paul Greenwood (above), who chairs the Newmarket and District branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).
His Majesty asked Paul about RBL membership numbers in the town and how they engaged with young people. Paul explained that the branch supports the Suffolk Army Cadet Force, RAF Air Cadets and the Sea and Royal Marines Cadet Units, which are affiliated to the RBL.
Looking back on the event, Paul said: “The visit made for a memorable day for all involved and received a very positive response from the local community. [The Sea and Royal Marine Cadets] were very keen to support this event and were a credit to themselves and their unit.”
