Colchester proudly welcomed His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen on Thursday 5 February, as they visited Dedham, one of the most cherished villages in the city, renowned for its artistic heritage, natural beauty and strong sense of community.
The visit marked Their Majesties’ first return to the area since March 2023, when they visited Colchester to celebrate the city being granted official City Status.
What did the King and Queen see in Dedham?
During their time in Dedham, The King and Queen visited the Sun Inn, where they met local heroes and businesses who have supported the community of Dedham. Local heroes included Next Chapter, a local domestic abuse charity; Dedham Art Society, a well-established art group that support East Anglia Children’s Hospice and partner with Munnings Museum; and the Dedham Vale Vineyard, which is set on forty acres of vines, woods and pastures on the edge of Dedham Vale.
They then meet members of the local community and pupils of a nearby school as they walk down the High Street, before stopping at the Essex Rose Teahouse to enjoy a tea party taking place.
The Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Michael Lilley, said:
“It was a tremendous honour to welcome Their Majesties back to our city and to our beautiful village of Dedham. Their visit in 2023 was a moment of great pride for our communities, and we were delighted to see that Colchester continues to hold a special place in their hearts. The warmth and enthusiasm shown by residents made this visit truly special, and it was wonderful to showcase the spirit, heritage, and generosity that define our city.”
Where can you see photos?
Head to City Council’s social media on Facebook, Instagram or X or Dedham Parish Council’s social media pages. We’d love to see the photos you took too, please tag Colchester City Council in.
Image credit: Dedham Parish Council/TazzyBro Photography