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News

Royal visit hopes for Ramsgate Royal Harbour 200th anniversary

By: Matt Leclere mleclere@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 12:55, 02 August 2019

Updated: 15:17, 02 August 2019

A royal visit is being planned to mark the 200th anniversary of Ramsgate becoming a royal harbour.

Organisers say a massive celebration could be the biggest event in the town for 50 years and hope to welcome a frontline member of the Royal Family.

The visit has not been confirmed but organisers have already contacted the Royal Family and the Lord Lieutenant's office with an invitation and talks are progressing.

Ralph Hoult hopes to welcome a member of the royal family to celebrate the Ramsgate Royal Harbour 200th anniversary in 2021

Ralph Hoult, chairman of the Royal Harbour Ramsgate 200 Festival committee, said: "We've been in contact with the Royal Family for about three years.

"We got an email saying that they did not know what sort of event that they would attend but Princess Royal (Princess Anne) was mentioned."

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Mr Hoult received an OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace last year and spoke to Her Majesty about his hopes for a royal visit.

"She asked what I did in Ramsgate. I told her what we're planning and wanted a royal to come and open it," he added.

This 1821 cartoon by George Cruikshank may reveal why King George liked Ramsgate so much. The cartoon called Nosing the Nob at Ramsgate, shows the King having coffee with Lady Curtis. The King stayed at Cliff House, home of the Curtis family. Gossip of the time suggested the King may well have received rather more than coffee, on his stays in Ramsgate. On the right of the picture is Lord Curtis the husband.

"She didn't say yes but didn't say no.

"There's no way we won't get a royal. It's got to. We're the only royal harbour in the UK."

He says he hopes a royal will be able to unveil a new bronze statue of King George IV - who granted the harbour royal assent in 1821 - at the Royal Harbour.

Work has already started to plan the Royal Harbour Ramsgate 200 Festival which will commemorate this occasion two centuries later in 2021.

The event would be held over the weekend of September 24 and 25 - exactly 200 years on from King George IV visiting the town for the first time.

Ramsgate and Broadstairs Sea Cadets, with the Mayors of Ramsgate and Broadstairs, raise the Royal Standard of George IV which happens three times a year in Ramsgate. Undated file picture

It was the first of three visits to Ramsgate that year after receiving such a rousing welcome from the town on September 25, 1821.

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He visited twice more - November 8 and November 27 - with the latter visit naming Ramsgate as a Royal Harbour.

The town now flies the Royal Standard three times a year to recognise the king's accession to the throne on January 29, his coronation on July 19 and his birthday on August 12.

Ramsgate Royal Harbour. Picture: Visit Kent (8164428)

Mr Hoult, who is also president of Ramsgate Sea Cadets, says he hopes the Royal Navy will come on board with the celebrations by possibly sending ships and a shore-based activities.

The committee for the festival have been working on the plans since September 2016, which will include a schools day on the Friday before a weekend of events including the Dunkirk Little Ships, visiting tall ships, sea safety day, live music and a banquet.

Some 20 community groups have joined the preparations but organisers need to raise about £100,000 to help fund the event and are looking for more businesses and groups to help sponsor.

Anyone who can help support or join with organising can contact Ralph Hoult by emailing ralphchoult@gmail.com or call 07969 672674.

To read about the Armed Forces and how they have served Kent and beyond, click here

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet

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