The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, made a visit to Blackpool Tower, where they took part in a roundtable discussion about the town’s recent history, the challenges it faces, and the ongoing regeneration efforts. Hundreds of well-wishers gathered on the promenade to greet them, despite the rain, as they toured the town to learn about its social and health issues, alongside some of Blackpool’s iconic landmarks. Their visit began at Blackpool Tower, before taking them to some of the most deprived areas, where they witnessed firsthand the regeneration work currently underway.
Their tour began at the Tower, where the couple viewed a large mirror that had been unveiled by the Princess of Wales in 1992 to mark the opening of Tower World. Prince William described it as “fantastic” and “amazing.” The royal couple then participated in a briefing on the town’s challenges, including its economic decline. The prince remarked that Blackpool had once been a “jewel in the crown” of the British tourism industry, but that the advent of more distant holiday destinations had taken away much of its former appeal. He acknowledged the high unemployment rates, but also praised the innovative projects, such as a new enterprise zone, that were helping to revitalise the area.
Next, the Duke and Duchess moved to the Tower Ballroom, where they watched a performance by the ballroom dancers before heading outside for a walkabout on the famous Comedy Carpet. During their visit, the Duchess shared with onlookers her wish to one day take her children to the top of Blackpool Tower on their next trip.
The couple was also shown around a local housing project on Kirby Road, where Blackpool Housing Company has purchased and refurbished several run-down properties to offer as rental homes. In addition, they met with individuals who had turned their lives around through a local initiative supporting people in recovery from drug addiction. The recovering addicts spoke about how the programme had given them the opportunity to rebuild their lives and re-enter the community.
