Coronation Learning Pack

Royal Visits

Did you know that the King has visited Croydon 3 times?

• On November 29, 1994 King Charles III visited Surrey Street market. The whole street took three weeks to dress for the royal visit. It is alleged that Surrey Street is the oldest street market in London, with records dating back to 1236. In 1276 King Henry III issued a charter allowing a weekly market to be held in Croydon. The market moved to Surrey Street  in the 19th century. In 1994 King Charles met with many of the stall-holders, including the Lovett family’s stall. The Lovett family go back three generations as traders in Surrey Street. Walter and Agnes Lovett were one of the original stallholders having been trading since 1897. The painting shown here was painted by Bill Lovett, son of Agnes & Walter, shows the Lovett stall, proudly displaying fruits, vegetables and flowers. Their granddaughter, Vivien Lovett, talked about the Kings visit in her book, Surrey Street Market, saying Surrey Street was “a sea of smiling faces, people clapping, others waving flags, all cheering and shouting.”

• On August 23, 2011 King Charles III visited Croydon to see the damage caused by the Croydon riots and pay tribute to the emergency workers. During the visit the King met with traders and residents in London Road who lost their homes and businesses in the riots, as well as the firefighters and police officers during a trip to Croydon Fire Station.

• On September 21, 2012 King Charles III came back to Surrey Street market along with Queen Camilla. They both met with the market traders before paying a visit to new local businesses, such as Matthews Yard, to see first-hand Croydon’s recovery after the 2011 riots.