It was a special time in the lead up to the royal couple visiting the city in April 1957 – particularly being the first visit for Queen Elizabeth II in her new role.
Clippings from the Worcester Evening News & Times in January 1957 showed how “Worcester women” were preparing for the royal visit in the spring of that year.
“The women’s organizations will take more satisfaction than most people in seeing the streets decorated,” a column read.
“…Aided by friends and senior schoolgirls, many weeks’ leisure will be spent making the banners, pennants in the city colors and garlands of waxed paper to adorn the streets.”
But it was on April 10, 1957 that plans for the royal visit were announced on the front page of the paper – including the schedule of the day, what gifts Her Majesty would receive and how she would be arriving, along with the Duke of Edinburgh , at Shrub Hill Station at 8.45am.
The Guildhall would be floodlit, and the national anthem would be played by the Royal Artillery band.
The royal visit to Worcester would come just days after the Queen had been welcomed by thousands in the rain at Lille, northern France.
The Evening News & Times put the story front page on how placards reading “Don’t Go Home” had been held by the crowd during her farewell drive to Paris Airport – to arrive in Worcester just 12 days later.
Majestic photographs of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh adorned our front pages with the headline “Worcestershire Greets The Queen – A Sunny Start To Their Midlands Tour” on April 23.
“The Queen wore a light duck-egg blue suit with a loose jacket and hat to match”, the article read.
Church bells rang across the countryside, as St George’s flag flew in honor of St George’s Day.
“We want the Queen” the crowds chanted outside the Guildhall as the Evening News & Times reported headline was “Isn’t she lovely! Sighed Crowd” as Her Majesty signed a photograph of herself.
The following day more than 7,000 schoolchildren packed Worcestershire CCC’s New Road ground as the Queen and Prince Philip were slowly driven around the outfield, standing in the back of a maroon Land Rover.
The Evening News & Star also featured news on traffic diversions in Worcester, how bus fares would not be affected and a double-page feature on the visit of Queen Elizabeth I in 1575.
Upon leaving the County Cricket Ground, it was reported that the Queen turned to the Mayor of Worcester and said “Thank you for a very happy occasion – we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.