Looking back at the times the Queen visited Basingstoke - in pictures

As in the rest of the country there were great celebrations in Basingstoke in 1953 when our Queen came to the throne following the death of her father, King George VI, the previous year.

Special events and street parties were organised across the area by an excited public.

In 1960 Queen Elizabeth visited Basingstoke to open the first phase of the Basingstoke Technical College (as it was then called) in Worting Road.

In 1962 Queen Elizabeth II visited Portals mill, in Overton, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the company.

The banknote printer based at Laverstoke Mill, had just won The Queen’s Award for Export and because of this Her Majesty came for a tour.

But first, she was welcomed for lunch at the Portal family’s home as Sir Jonathan’s father, Sir Francis Portal, was chairman and managing director of the company.

Pictures taken by Southern Newspapers Ltd, the Gazette’s parent company at the time, show The Queen arriving at the house in a Rolls Royce with a small entourage. She was welcomed by Sir Francis and introduced to company bosses as well as the Portal family.

he Queen at Overton Mill with Sir Francis Portal

In an article published by the Gazette, ahead of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend, Sir Jonathan – then just a nine-year-old boy, who now lives in the property – recalled the amazing experience.

He told the Gazette: “I remember she asked me questions and I was able to say that I knew her cousin, who I was at school with. That established a connection.”

Her Majesty also signed the visitors book at the family home.

While he was not able to attend the lunch, Sir Jonathan, now 59, said there was a “buzz of excitement” around the village.

“A lot of it I remember from photographs,” he said. “But I do actually remember schoolchildren waiting outside waving their flags. It was a lovely summer’s day and the Royal party were whisked off to Laverstoke shortly after lunch.”

A series of pictures show Sir Francis and Her Majesty touring the banknote premises, now owned by De La Rue, and its neighbouring Bere Mill.

As a gift, staff made a watermark of The Queen and Prince Charles.

Sir Jonathan said: “The visit was a big deal and is still fondly remembered by our family.”

The Queen chats with Pearly King in 1973

In 1973 the Queen visited Basingstoke, chatting to people including Basingstoke’s Pearly King, Sammy Collins, (a well-known figure at that time), and viewing the new town centre prior to opening Fanum House, the AA headquarters in Basing View; which was built for a cost of £4,420,000 and towering to eighteen floors.

The Queen looks out from Fanum House after officially opening the building in November 1973.

The Queen unveiled a dedication in the foyer and planted a tree at the entrance.