Chatham will welcome a royal visitor among the thousands expected for the Battle of Medway celebrations next month.

From Thursday, June 8, to Saturday, June 17, Medway Council will host an extensive programme of events to mark the 350th anniversary of the Battle of Medway, when the Dutch sailed up the River Medway and attacked the Royal Navy at Chatham.

The battle had monumental consequences and led to huge investment in new ships and dockyard facilities and laid laying the foundations of British supremacy at sea for the next 200 years.

A special opening ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 8, at Chatham's Historic Dockyard.

Special guests include Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, prince of the Netherlands, the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir Philip Jones, the Viscount De L'Isle the Lord Lieutenant of Kent and former Commander-in-Chief fleet of the Royal Navy Admiral and chairman of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, Sir Trevor Soar.

The ceremony will include a royal salute, speeches and a parade with performances by the combined British and Dutch Royal Marine Bands.

The event will be held at Museum Square in the dockyard and 1,800 tickets are available for members of the public.

Tickets are free and will be up for grabs from 10am on Friday, from the dockyard's website. Up to 10 tickets can be booked by each person.

Leader of Medway Council Cllr Alan Jarrett said: “We’re very much looking forward to formally opening our Battle of Medway commemorations in partnership with The Historic Dockyard Chatham, and welcoming a selection of VIPs to Medway.

“It’s going to be a very special one-off ceremonial occasion and I’d urge Medway residents and visitors wishing to join us, to secure tickets as quickly as possible when they are released on Friday, to avoid disappointment.”

Director of preservation and education at the dockyard, Richard Holdsworth, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be hosting this historic event. The dockyard was, after all, the reason for the battle 350 years ago.

"It also played a pivotal role in the shipbuilding programme that took place after the battle, which went on to secure Britain’s command of the oceans for over 200 years.

“The day will be very special. Not only will we see the combined British and Dutch Royal Marines Bands performing together but also the pageantry of a Royal visit.”

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