OVER the years, the Royal Family have made numerous visits to south Essex and elsewhere in the county.

Following the recent announcement that Kate Middleton, The Princess of Wales, had been diagnosed with cancer, we have decided to take a trip down memory lane and look back at the times the Royal Family visited south Essex.

Echo: Loved - The Princess of Wales visiting Basildon in 2018Loved - The Princess of Wales visiting Basildon in 2018 (Image: Newsquest)

The late Queen Elizabeth II visited south Essex a number of times.

Notable visit included the official opening of the Dartford Crossing bridge, named after her, in 1991, and a whistlestop tour of south Essex, including stops in Basildon and Southend, in March 1999.

Echo: Crowd - The Queen in Southend in March 1999Crowd - The Queen in Southend in March 1999 (Image: Newsquest)

On that occasion, the Queen visited Basildon to officially open the distinctive glass and steel bell tower in St Martin’s Square.

Earlier the same day, the Queen and Prince Philip had landed at Southend Airport, headed to the seafront and met schoolchildren from across the town, before touring South Essex College.

King Charles and Queen Camilla both visited Southend in March 2022 to mark its city status.

Echo: Flags - King Charles visiting Southend to mark city statusFlags - King Charles visiting Southend to mark city status (Image: Newsquest)

They both also attended a special performance as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival at the Palace Theatre, in Westcliff, in 2014.

Prince William and Kate both paid a visit to Basildon in 2018.

Echo: Friendly faces - Prince William visits Basildon Sporting VillageFriendly faces - Prince William visits Basildon Sporting Village (Image: Newsquest)

The former Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Basildon Sporting Village and met multiple apprentices from Coach Core Essex and representatives from South Essex Gymnastics Club and Sport for Confidence.

Other royals to visit south Essex include the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, who came to Canvey to open a the new Charfleet Book Bindery in June 2023.

Echo: Bookbinding - Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie on Canvey in 2023Bookbinding - Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie on Canvey in 2023 (Image: Newsquest)

The Queen Mother came to Southend in 1967 to open up the new Civic Centre.

Echo: 1967 - The Queen Mother inspects the plaque at the Civic Centre in Southend1967 - The Queen Mother inspects the plaque at the Civic Centre in Southend (Image: Newsquest)

Princess Anne has also visited south Essex numerous times over the decades, with one visit only a few months ago.

Her Royal Highness went to Canvey for a tour the National Coastwatch station at the Island Yacht Club in November 2023.

Echo: Visit - Princess Anne with volunteers from the National Coastwatch in 2023Visit - Princess Anne with volunteers from the National Coastwatch in 2023 (Image: Newsquest)

Princess Anne also officially opened the Southend Health and Dental Care Centre in 2008 and inaugurated the new Southend Pier railway service in 1986.