This week we welcome back Heritage Volunteer Andy who has returned to share his research of council papers, this time in search of official visits to Leeds.

Hi. My name’s Andy Armstrong and I have taken on the task of sifting through 200 years of Leeds CC papers held by the library to bring some structure to them and to produce research guides on subjects such as transport and housing. 

Leeds Corporation, the precursor to the City Council, was reformed in 1835, the Corporation had few powers to affect the development of Leeds, and little money with which to deal with the booming metropolis. The Industrial Revolution had transformed many northern towns and cities and competition for business and investment was fierce. Anything that could enhance the reputation of Leeds was important, and a Royal visit was huge. So to attract Queen Victoria in 1858 was a massive coup for the town.

Queen Victoria’s visit to Leeds on 7 September 1858 was a landmark event, marking the first official visit by a reigning monarch. The primary purpose of her two-day visit was to officially open the newly constructed Leeds Town Hall, a symbol of the town’s growing industrial power and civic pride. The trip was a roaring success, with huge crowds lining the streets, particularly along Briggate and Boar Lane, to catch a glimpse of the royal entourage.

Further Royal visits followed with the future Edward VII and George V coming to Leeds before the turn of the century. The purpose of the George V visit in 1894 was to open the new Hall and Library of the Medical Department of Yorkshire College, but also became infamous for the bread arch.  This was a publicity stunt by the proprietor of the Mitre Hotel on Commercial Street and a local baker. It was made of 1500 loaves of bread and erected next to the Hotel in Commercial Street to welcome the Duke and Duchess of York (as they were then titled). However, the visit did not pass through that road and there’s no evidence they saw it!

In the 20th century, both Edward VII and George V visited Leeds several times, including visits as reigning monarchs. But it was Queen Elizabeth II who stole the show in that century, with her first visit as Princess Elizabeth in 1949, followed by six more between 1954 and 1982. Her final visit was in 2012. In 1958, she visited Leeds on the centenary of Queen Victoria’s visit. Just as a century beforehand, Leeds took the opportunity to show the world what a great city it is and to showcase Leeds successes. Hence, amongst other things, the Queen’s visit to Burton’s clothing factory which was then the largest in the world!  Leeds continues to put itself on the map, with Nelson Mandela visiting in 2001 and one of King Charles’ first official visits as King in 2022.