All you need to know about The Queen’s visit to Lancaster

As exclusively revealed in the Lancaster Guardian last month, Her Majesty The Queen will visit Lancaster for the first time in 16 years.

Queen Elizabeth II is scheduled to visit The Duchy of Lancaster, which owns Lancaster Castle, on May 29.

Security checks and planned road closures are already taking place around the city.

The Queen will arrive at Lancaster Railway Station by Royal Train and be greeted by local dignitaries.

Her Majesty, who has recently celebrated her 89th birthday, will then drive the short distance to Lancaster Castle for a ceremonial arrival.

After the ceremony the Queen will go inside the castle to view a Shakespeare performance from Richard II and meet invited guests.

A number of road closures will be in place both on the day and the evening before.

Diversions will be in place but motorists are advised to use alternative modes of transport if possible.

Police will also be implementing rolling road closures along the route (King Street, Penny Street and Thurnham Street) to allow the Royal party to pass safely. Any roads adjoining the A6 will be closed during the rolling closure.

Meeting House Lane will be closed during the visit on Friday from 6am-2pm.

Those wishing to see the visit in Lancaster should be in the area in front of the Castle by 10am.

Peter Lawson, superintendent of Lancashire Constabulary, who is coordinating the policing operation, said: “It is a real privilege to have this event in Lancaster and a significant amount of planning and preparation has taken place to ensure it is a memorable day for everyone.”

It will be the first time the head of the British Monarchy has visited the castle since it closed as a prison in 2011.

On her last visit to Lancaster in July 1999 the Queen toured Lancaster Priory before heading over to Morecambe to unveil the Eric statue.