Countdown begins to historic Royal visit to Burnley

The streets will be awash with well-wishers waving the Union Jack flag as the monarch marks 60 years on the throne on a trip to the town on Wednesday morning.

Her Majesty will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales in what will be a crowning moment for Burnley.

People from across the borough and beyond are expected to turn out to enjoy the rare honour of seeing the three most senior members of the Royal family in one place together.

Crowds will get the perfect view of the Royal party as they visit the Weavers’ Triangle, Burnley College and the University of Central Lancashire and Burnley Football Club. Special spectator areas have been set up around the town so people can have a front row seat to the first Royal visit to Burnley by the Queen since 1987.

During the visit, the Queen, Prince Philip and The Prince of Wales will sweep into Burnley on the Royal train where they will be greeted by Lord Shuttleworth KCVO, Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire.

The Royal party will then head to Finsley Gate Wharf where a special barge will be waiting to take them along a historic stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

There will be no public access to the Wharf but visitors will be able to get a great view of the Queen boarding the barge from the road above.

The three Royal family members will be taken by boat to Slater Terrace, Sandygate, at the heart of the town’s iconic Weavers’ Triangle.

At Sandygate Square visitors will be able to see Her Majesty, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles getting off the barge and going into Slater Terrace from around 10-30 a.m. There will be a big screen at Sandygate so crowds can watch what is happening inside Slater Terrace as the Royals meet young people and organisations which have worked closely with the Prince’s Charities in Burnley.

Her Majesty is expected to make a speech to the Prince’s Charities’ Regeneration Summit which will be beamed out on the giant screen.

A highlight of the visit will be when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh travel down Manchester Road and through the town centre – right down James’s Street to the bottom of Westgate – in the Royal car led by a Gurkha band.

Well-wishers are advised to be in place by 10 a.m. to get the best view. Entertainment including SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer will be laid on for the crowds between 10-30 a.m. and 11-30 a.m. before the Queen and Prince Philip pass through St James’s Street.

The Royal couple will then visit Burnley College and the University of Central Lancashire Campus.

Clarets Chairman Barry Kilby will host the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for lunch in the Jimmy McIlroy Stand at Turf Moor. The public is invited to share in this occasion with viewing galleries on both the North Stand car park and along Harry Potts Way.

To ensure the visit is a highlight of her visit to Lancashire, the club is also opening the 8,000 all-seater James Hargreaves stand to allow the general public and invited schoolchildren to watch performances from a number of primary and secondary schools from across East Lancashire during the visit.

The Royal couple will appear briefly on a balcony overlooking the stadium to view the bands, youth groups and school children assembled there. Visitors can wave the Queen off as she leaves Turf Moor along Harry Potts Way around 2 p.m.