Illustrated London News (20/Oct/1883) - The Royal Visit to Huddersfield

The following is a transcription of a historic newspaper article and may contain occasional errors. If the article was published prior to 1 June 1957, then the text is likely in the Public Domain.

The visit of the Duke and Duchess of Albany to Huddersfield, after they had been present at the Leeds Musical Festival, was a distinction well deserved and cordially appreciated. That enterprising Yorkshire borough, like many others of our largo towns, is distinguished for its local patriotism and municipal improvements, including a new Technical School. The munificence of a citizen has provided Huddersfield with a splendid site for Beaumont Park ; and in opening this place of recreation for the benefit of its inhabitants their royal Highnesses were discharging one of the most appropriate functions of Royalty, and had their reward in a most enthusiastic reception. In his short address at the civic luncheon Prince Leopold, as usual, made some timely remarks. He dwelt upon the necessity of multiplying wholesome workmen's dwellings — likely soon to become a "burning" question in Parliament — and pointed with satisfaction to the progress of technical knowledge, which, according to the report of the Commissioners who have been inquiring into the subject, has been so marked, that England has now little to fear from Continental rivalry in decorative arts and manufactures. We could almost have wished that it had fallen within the scope of the Prince's remarks to give a broad hint to the wealthy magnates and citizens of London, who out of their boundless resources might easily have provided a Paddington Park, and, by generous combination, might even now save Alexandra Park from the ruthless hands of the builder, which seems destined to be its fate.


The Duke and Duchess of Albany had a hearty reception on their visit to Huddersfield last Saturday, when they inspected the Fine-Art Exhibition, the Duchess accepting a magnificent Oriental shawl, manufactured by Messrs. Norton Brothers and Co., as a specimen of local manufacture and souvenir of the visit. After being entertained at luncheon by the Mayor, their Royal Highnesses opened for public use a new park, called the Beaumont Park, the site of which has been presented to the town by Mr. Henry Frederick Beaumont, of Whitley Beaumont. A gold key was presented to the Duke, and the Duchess planted a tree; after which they drove to Whitley Beaumont, where a large party met them at dinner. On Monday the Duke drove to Huddersfield, and received an address from the Freemasons of the local lodges. The Duchess afterwards joined his Royal Highness, when they left for town.