Park Hosts British Royal Couple

Independence National Historical Park was proud to host Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, on Saturday, January 27th.  

Director Mary Bomar joined Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Philadelphia Mayor John Street, and Superintendent Dennis Reidenbach in greeting the royal couple outside Independence Hall and welcoming them to Philadelphia. This was the first visit to Philadelphia by a Prince of Wales in 147 years, and the park and the city made every effort to ensure a warm welcome for the royal couple.  Residents from around the region came out to the park to witness this official greeting to the city, bringing flowers and other gifts for the royal couple.  The Prince and Duchess took this opportunity to meet some of their admirers, progressing slowly through the crowds to the front door of Independence Hall. The royal couple was accompanied in their procession across the square by the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, the oldest mounted military unit in the country, which has been in continuous service since 1774. 
In Independence Hall, the very site where the Second Continental Congress declared independence from the British monarchy, the royal visitors were given a brief tour by ranger Renee Albertoli. Their Royal Highnesses then moved on to the Liberty Bell Center, where ranger Larry McClenney provided them with a brief history of the famous bell.  Prince Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, also viewed the Liberty Bell when she was in Philadelphia for the bicentennial in 1976.  

Education program developer Amber Kraft and ranger Joanne Schillizzi introduced Their Royal Highnesses to some local schoolchildren, who were practicing educational activities focusing on the history and meaning of the Liberty Bell.  Director Bomar and Superintendent Reidenbach then joined the royal couple at a reception at the National Constitution Center, hosted by Mayor Street and Governor Rendell.