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Ever
since a visit by George III in 1788 Gloucestershire has been closely
linked with the royal family.
Three
members of the present royal family live in the county, Prince Charles
at Highgrove, The Princess Royal at Gatcombe and the Prince and
Princess Michael of Kent at Nether Lypiatt, near Stroud.
The
royal connection was also maintained through the Cheltenham Festival
which the Queen Mother used to visit each year to preside over the
famous Queen Mother Champion Chase.
King
George was first attracted to the county by the spa waters of Cheltenham.
He stayed in the town with his wife and three daughters for five
weeks during which time they visited Gloucester, Cirencester, Tewkesbury
and Stroud and attended the Three Choirs Festival to hear music
by Handel.
The
King was widely reported to have enjoyed his stay and as a result
medicinal spas became popular and Cheltenham prospered.
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| Edward
VII would spend weekends in Cheltenham with Lillie Langtry |
By
the end of the 19th Century the Royal Family were still visiting
Cheltenham though not necessarily for medicinal purposes.
Queen
Victoria's eldest son Prince Edward (Edward VII) found the town
in the 1880s provided an ideal retreat where he could spend weekends
with his mistress the celebrated actress Lillie Langtry.
The
monarchy's connection with the county has continued through this
century with regular visits by the Queen and other leading members
of the family.
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