Less than five years later, on Thursday 6 February,
1840, Dover welcomed the future husband of their young
Queen, who was to be married the following Monday. At
about 4:20, Her Majesty’s packet
‘Ariel’,
convoyed by HMS ‘Firebrand’, arrived in the bay, after
a rough crossing. The ship was decorated with the Royal
Standard and onboard was the young Prince Albert of
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. On entering the harbour they were
saluted by the cutters ‘Vigilant’ and ‘Victoria’ and
there was loud cheering from the large crowds gathered
on the quays. Prince Albert was welcomed by the Commander
of the Garrison, and with a Guard of Honour provided
by the 90th Light Infantry was escorted to the York
Hotel. At the hotel he was greeted by the Mayor and
other local dignitaries and a special deputation sent
by the Queen.
There were further lively scenes the following morning
, when shortly after 10 o’clock two troops of the 11th
Light Dragoons, and a Guard of Honour of the 90th Light
Infantry, drew up in front of the hotel. The Prince
was addressed by the Mayor, who was accompanied by the
Aldermen and Members of the Corporation in their robes.
The Prince made a speech in answer, and at 11:30 left
Dover with his suite in seven carriages. He was escorted
out of the town by the two troops of Dragoons, and a
Royal salute was fired from the batteries. The Prince
appeared to be delighted at his reception, and vast
crowds cheered him as he drove along the streets.
On 14 November, 1842, Prince Albert and Queen Victoria
visited Dover while staying as guests of the
Lord
Warden of the Cinque Ports,
The
Duke of Wellington, at Walmer Castle. Only short
notice of the visit was given but there was sufficient
time to decorate the town with a considerable number
of flags, and the Deal Road and Castle Hill were lined
with a multitude of people. At 3:00 pm the Royal couple
drove into the
Castle
via the
Constable’s
Gate, and were shown around the Castle. On leaving
the
Castle
their carriage went down Castle Hill into the town and
along
Castle Street
into the
Market
Square. Their open carriage was drawn by four beautiful
bays, and from the Market Square they trotted on through
King Street, Bench Street and
Snargate
Street towards the harbour. They passed along the
Sea Front by
Waterloo Crecent and Marine Parade and through Woolcomber
Street, to Castle Hill. As their carriage ascended the
hill out of the town a Royal salute was fired from the
Castle.
