His Majesty The King has visited Ealing – the first official royal visit to the borough since 1993.

On Thursday 7 December, The King stopped by the Christmas market at the Broadway Centre, where he met the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Hitesh Tailor, and shook hands with shoppers.

His Majesty was welcomed by 30 children from Christ the Saviour CofE Primary School singing festive carols, and stopped to chat to the excited youngsters.

Volunteers

The King also met representatives of local recipients of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Equivalent to an MBE, it is the highest award that can be given to voluntary groups in the UK. Ealing’s recipient organisations include:

• Descendants, a history and arts-based organisation aimed at developing children and young people mainly of African or Caribbean descent
• LAGER Can, a litter action group for Ealing residents
• PACE, a voluntary organisation promoting the inclusion of young disabled people in sports and leisure activities
• Mael Gael, a Southall-based project for the elderly and young people
• The William Hobbayne Charity, which supports residents of Hanwell who are in need, hardship, and distress
• Ealing Wildlife Group, a volunteer-run group focusing on protecting local wildlife

At the Christmas market, His Majesty also met local business owners. This is the eighth year running that the market has returned to the central square in the Broadway Centre, offering a host of handmade gifts, crafts, and decorations.

The King watched a short performance by a local Polish choir, which sang a traditional carol. Ealing has the largest Polish community in London, which was first established when Polish airmen were stationed at RAF Northolt during the Second World War.

Pitzhanger Manor

He then went on to Pitzhanger Manor in Walpole Park, the former country home of the influential 18th and 19th century architect Sir John Soane, which reopened in 2019 having undergone a major conservation project. He was greeted there by Ealing’s council leader Peter Mason.

This was the first official royal visit by the monarch to the borough since HRH Queen Elizabeth II visited St David’s Home in Ealing in 1993. The late Queen also opened the Broadway Centre in 1985. 

Councillor Mason said: “What a great honour it was to welcome His Majesty The King to Ealing and to join him on a tour around Pitzhanger Manor. Ealing residents are always delighted to host members of the royal family, and the atmosphere around the arrival of The King was electric. We were pleased to be able to show off the best of the borough through the contributions of organisations who have won The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.”