King Charles III visited Milton Keynes in February, to formally mark city status which was given to MK as part of his mother's Platinum Jubilee last year.
His Majesty The King met a range of community groups representing charitable, business, faith, environmental and arts organisations in Milton Keynes on 26th February, to mark city status.
A dedicated space was marked outside of the Church of Christ the Cornerstone for families and residents to wave his majesty in.
Can you spot yourself in our gallery?
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
- Image credit: MKFM / King Charles visits Milton Keynes
The successful bid came in May 2022 for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, after three previous applications over the last 22 years. In 2000, an application was submitted for the millennium - then again in 2002 for the Golden Jubilee, and 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee.
38 towns in total applied for the civic honour, in which Milton Keynes sent its bid back in December 2021, in typical MK fashion- by Starship robot.
Today, His Majesty The King has visited Milton Keynes to formally mark city status, but what does city status actually mean?
With 8 places receiving city status as part of the Platinum Jubilee last year, it has taken the total number of UK cities to 78 - meaning that Milton Keynes is one of a small number of actual, recognised cities.
The idea that a city needs to have a cathedral is a really common misconception, there are actually many cities without one! Birmingham was the first town without a cathedral to become a city, in 1889.
The only requirement to become a city is that its status is granted by the monarch.
The main thing that comes with being a city, is a sense of pride and validation. As the MK Council Leader said: "I think this is a validation for the city and for all those children and adults who were born here and brought up here and everybody that knows what a great place it is and how we can now say we are from the city of Milton Keynes."
It is also a huge boost for tourism, and as a result, the economy.
Research shows that Perth, which was granted city status in 2012 as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, has reaped the full benefits, with the local economy expanding by 12% in the decade it was granted city status.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: "City Status is a huge accolade and I congratulate our eight brilliant winners. This competition showcases the best of Britain and the Overseas Territories and will act as a lasting legacy of Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee."
