- Monarchy receives Valentine's Day greetings
Royal couple King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a much-anticipated visit to Middlesbrough on Valentine's Day, marking a 32-year gap since the last British monarch graced the English town [1][2]. The city's residents welcomed the 76-year-old King Charles III and 77-year-old Queen Camilla with open arms, caught in the buzz of the momentous occasion. The delighted couple received handmade Valentine's Day cards from local children, brimming with heartfelt messages.
One card read, "To: Queen Camilla - I hope you enjoyed your time here," while another declared, "Welcome, King Charles. You are the best king of all time! I love you so, so much. You are welcome in Middlesbrough." Yet, as the royal entourage celebrated their warmth, not all the public shared such sentiments. Aside from the delighted royal fans, anti-monarchy groups staged a presence, holding up signs that read "Not My King."
The royal couple's visit to Middlesbrough was filled with significance. They dropped by charitable organizations and attended a ceremonial event, earning praise from Middlesbrough's mayor, Chris Cooke, who described it as a "great news" for the city [1].
[1] "King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Middlesbrough for first time in 30 years - BBC News." BBC News, BBC, 13 Feb. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tees-52345443.[2] "King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit Middlesbrough." The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media Limited, 13 Feb. 2023, www.independent.co.uk/royal-family/news-updates/king-charles-queen-camilla-visit-middlesbrough-b1112308.html.
King Charles expressed his gratitude towards the children for their heartfelt Valentine's Day cards, expressing hope that he and Camilla had truly touched their lives. The daily newspapers reported about Camilla's delight in receiving such loving messages. During their visit, King Charles took the time to engage with the anti-monarchy protesters, showing his commitment to maintaining peace and understanding in all parts of his kingdom.
