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[Bradford, Royal Tour]

Their Royal Highnesses, after driving a few hundred yards within the borough, turned into Lister Park, and there waited a little while until a procession of considerable proportions, including a number of local friendly and trade societies, had been formed. The progress from the park along Manningham road and into the more thickly-populated parts of the town was hailed by the enthusiastic cheering of the people who crowded behind the barriers, at the windows, on stands, and on the roofs. Arriving in front of the Townhall, the Prince and Princess of Wales and suite alighted and took up a position on the handsome dais at the foot of the steps leading into the building. There the Mayoress was presented to their Royal Highnesses, and then the Mayor's little daughter, Miss Annie Hill, handed to the Princess a bouquet, which her Royal Highness graciously accepted. The Recorder of the borough, Mr. G. Bruce, read an address of welcome, which the Mayor presented to the prince on behalf of the Corporation. His Royal highness made a suitable reply, and next received from Sir Henry Edwards, Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons, an address on behalf the seven Masonic Lodges in the Bradford district. The Royal visitors, after waiting a few moments till the scene had been photographed, resumed their journey to the Technical School, half a mile from the Townhall, passing on the way under a triumphal arch, built in imitation of a Norman barbican, half a dozen "knights of old" standing begirt in mail and sword in hand beside the portcullis, while others stood on the embrasured tower, their helmets glittering in the sun. On alighting at the gateway of the Technical School their Royal Highnesses were received by Sir H. W. Ripley, and the Princess was presented with a handsome bouquet by the Hon. Olivia Taylour (daughter of the Earl and Countess of Bective). A golden key was presented by Sir H. W. Ripley to the Prince of Wales, who bowed in acknowledgment. The door was then opened, and the Royal party and guests passed in amid cheering. A brilliant company assembled in the Lecture Hall of the Institution, where the ceremony of opening the school was to be performed. The President (Mr. H. Mitchell) presented to His Royal Highness an address of welcome. The Prince of Wales spoke in reply, expressing his interest in the object of the institution, which was one in which, he felt assured, his lamented father, the late Prince Consort, would have felt especial interest. His Royal Highness then declared the school open; the National Anthem was sung, three cheers were given for the Queen, and, on the invitation of the President, the company adjourned to the annexe for luncheon, to which nearly eight hundred guests sat down. After the health of the Queen had been drunk, the toast of "The prince and Princess of Wales and the other Members of the Royal Family" was duly honoured. His Royal highness acknowledged this toast in another speech referring to the manufacturing and trading interests of Bradford, and to the advantages of technical, scientific, and practical education. Sir Frederick Bramwell and the Right Hon. W. E. Forster were among the other speakers. The Prince and Princess were heartily cheered on their leaving Bradford to return to Saltaire. They quitted that place next morning, and attended a bazaar in aid of the Church Institute, at St. George's Hall, Bradford; after which they travelled back to London, having enjoyed the most cordial demonstrations of public regard in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Source: The Illustrated London News, July 1, 1882, p.10