Cambridge & Peterborough: Will & Kate Visit

22 November 2012, 06:09 | Updated: 28 November 2012, 10:32

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Cambridgeshire today (Wednesday).

Will and Kate will visit:

    • Cambridge Guildhall
    • The Senate House, University of Cambridge
    • Jimmy's Nightshelter, Cambridge
    • The Manor School, Cambridge
    • Peterborough City Hospital

The visit is the Royal couple's first to Cambridgeshire since they were given the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they got married last year.

The Royal Highnesses will meet Civic figures including the High Sheriff and Mayor of Cambridge at the city's Guidhall.

The Royal couple will also appear on the balcony of the Guildhall, which overlooks Cambridge Market Square.

They will then walk through the Market Square to the Senate House at the University of Cambridge.Once there, Will and Kate will meet university officials and then be given a private introduction to the University and Senate House.

There will then be a marquee reception in the Senate House for around 400 people, where The Royal Highnesses will meet people including students from all the Cambridge colleges, before the Duke delivers a short speech.

Following their visit to the University of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will then be given a tour of the newly-refurbished Jimmy's Night Shelter, which provides shelter for homeless people.

They will meet the charity's volunteers, support staff and guests before a commemorative plaque is unveiled to mark their visit.

From Jimmy's Will and Kate will make their way to The Manor School in Cambridge.

At the school, they will be given a short tour and meet students and staff, before watching a drama, dance and music presentation and unveiling a plaque to mark their visit.

Finally, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will travel to Peterborough City Hospital.

There, they will visit patients and staff on the Orthopaedic ward and view the hospital's Musculoskeletal Gym and also meet medical personnel, trustees, patients and community groups.

Cambridge Mayor Councillor Sheila Stuart said: "I am delighted that Their Royal Highnesses  have announced the date for their Cambridge visit. 

It will be a joy to welcome them to our city and I do hope that they enjoy the time they spend with us.

I am particularly looking forward to hosting them at the Guildhall and introducing them to some of those special people who received Cambridge News Community Awards.

Their planned Guildhall balcony appearance will, I am sure, attract huge crowds in market square, and I know the Royal couple will be assured of a great Cambridge welcome."

Cambridge Road Closures.

A number of roads in Cambridge will be closed during the Royal visit.

The following roads will be affected between 9am and midday:

  • Sidney Street from the traffic gate (junction with Hobson Street)  (closure preventing access to the restricted main city loop)
  • Green Street (preventing access to Trinity Street)
  • St John’s Street (preventing access to Trinity Street)
  • Trumpington Street from Silver Street junction (preventing access to King’s Parade)
  • Bene’t Street

Detective Superintendent Paul Fullwood said: "The temporary closures will be in place to enable members of the public to view the Royal couple and allow the visit to take place.

The majority of these closures are in restricted areas so people shouldn’t notice a huge difference.

Where possible we will look to minimise disruption to the public and traders and we may not need to have the closures in place for the full three hours.

We have already pre-briefed local traders and businesses so they can have plans in place to go about their daily business."

Peterborough City Hospital.

The Royal Couple will be visiting Peterborough City Hospital, to officially open the hospital.

Below is advice from Peterborough City Hospital if you are planning to go and try to get a glimpse of the Royal Couple, and information for patients with appointments on the day.

If you are planning to attend the hospital just to see the royal couple:

Members of the public who are planning to visit Peterborough City Hospital to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive on the site will not be permitted to use the hospital car parks.

This is due to security restrictions put in place by the Trust which grants parking permission for staff, patients, relatives and a small number of invited guests only on the day. 

There is unlikely to be enough parking spaces to accommodate a large number of visitors to the site.

As a result, the Trust has set up a free park-and-ride scheme from Serpentine Green, Hampton, to ensure that as many well-wishers as possible can still be part of what will be a very special day for the city.

Those who do not want to use the park-and-ride facility are encouraged to use the bus. Buses will be running as normal all day. Stagecoach’s Peterborough Citi buses 2, 3 and 7 all stop at PCH (see the timetable here).

If you are visiting a patient - normal visiting hours

Normal visiting hours will apply on the day, so if you are visiting a relative you will be able to attend as usual. 

However, if you are intending to park at the hospital you will require a ‘parking permission sign’, for this day only.

Ward staff will provide you with this sign for you to display in your car. 

Ward staff will start issuing these signs a few days before the event to patients they are expecting to be in on this day.

Alternatively, Stagecoach’s Peterborough Citi buses 2, 3 and 7 all stop at PCH (see the timetable here).

Or you are welcome to use the free park-and-ride service from Serpentine Green, Hampton, that will be available from mid-day on the day. (See details below)

If you have an appointment at Peterborough City Hospital on Wednesday:

We will be running hospital services as normal on the day, so if you have an appointment this will take place as planned. We have already contacted the majority of patients who are booked in for this day to confirm this.

You will be requested to show your appointment letter to our on-site security. So please ensure you bring this information with you. Please note, there could be delays in getting on the site in the morning.

Please leave extra time to make your appointment on the day.