A freshly jet washed Bolton Town Hall seemed to almost glisten in the January sunshine as hundreds gathered in the town centre for the arrival of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort. It was the first visit to the town by a Monarch since Queen Elizabeth II came some 35 years ago to officially open the Market Place Shopping Centre and the much beloved but now demolished Water Place in 1988.
Hundreds braved the brisk weather to get to got to Victoria Square nice and early to secure a spot to welcome the royal visitors. One group who had arrived around three hours before the visit, at 10am, had come prepared with King Charles masks, attached to sticks.
A security guard walked up and down the growing line telling people that photographs would be fine, while warning against asking the King of England and the Queen Consort for selfies. Another council worker also paced along the crowds but was handing out Union flags for people to wave.
