Queen Elizabeth II visited the Fylde Coast several times during her 70-year reign, and people in Blackpool always gave her a warm welcome. Her first visit was in 1955 when she attended the Royal Variety Performance. She came back in 2009 for another performance. During these visits, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh also checked out The Grand Theatre and Blackpool Tower for the first time.
In the photo: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh meet singer Alma Cogan and show presenter Jack Hylton after the Royal Variety Performance at the Opera House in 14 April 1955.
Inset image: The Queen Amid The Blackpool Lights. Against a background of Crowns formed by the famous Blackpool illuminations, the, Queen, resplendent in a silver-embroidered white net gown and a glittering circlet (jewelled tiara), arrives at Blackpool’s Opera House for last night’s Royal Variety Performance. This was the first Variety Command Show to be held outside London and was arranged as part of the current Royal tour of Lancashire on 14 April 1955.
The Queen Amid The Blackpool Lights and a background of Crowns formed by the famous Blackpool illuminations, the, Queen, resplendent in a silver-embroidered white net gown and a glittering circlet (jewelled tiara), arrives at Blackpool’s Opera House for last night’s Royal Variety Performance. This was the first Variety Command Show to be held outside London and was arranged as part of the current Royal tour of Lancashire. April 14, 1955. (Photo by Alamy/Reuterphoto)
