Today Southend will officially become a city with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall arriving to grant the new status.

Their Royal Highnesses are due to attend a special council meeting at the Civic Centre in the morning before heading to the Pier and Sands later in the day.

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales will present the letters patent to the mayor of the new city, Margaret Borton, confirming city status at a formal council meeting.

The special council meeting will be broadcast live on YouTube for residents wishing to watch from home.

Fans and families can catch a glimpse at The Civic Centre, Pier Hill and Western Esplanade (between the pier entrance and sands).

The council meeting will also be broadcast on a big screen outside the forum when it gets underway from 11.10am.

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A community-led bid for city status was going be submitted in December 2021 as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. However, on 18 October 2021, The Prime Minister announced that Her Majesty the Queen would grant Southend-on-Sea City Status as a tribute to Sir David Amess, who was killed on Friday October 15.

Roads signs will be changed and replaced around Southend tomorrow to reflect the change in status from town to city.

Ian Gilbert, leader of the council said: “This is an incredibly exciting and historic day for Southend-on-Sea, not just because we are becoming a City but because we are privileged to have Their Royal Highnesses visiting our corner of the UK.

 

“We understand that people will want to be part of this historic day, and we look forward to welcoming crowds to the seafront. I also want to urge anyone coming to plan ahead and be safe.

 

“There should be minimal disruption on the day as no roads will close, although Western Esplanade will have restricted access. And as the Royals arrive at the seafront late morning, there should be plenty of time for people to arrive and get a comfortable spot.

 

“Our teams at the council, along with the Palace and Essex Police have worked hard and in collaboration to make sure people can celebrate this historic day safely. I urge residents and visitors who plan to attend on the day, to listen to officials and heed their advice.”