The leader of Milton Keynes City Council yesterday welcomed His Majesty The King who visited the city to formerly mark its newly conferred city status.

Milton Keynes was named a city as part of celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in May last year.

Milton Keynes mayor, Cllr Amanda Marlow, introduced His Majesty who thanked everyone in the city for their involvement in making the bid a success.

The King then unveiled a commemorative plaque and signed the Church Book, which was previously signed by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II when she visited to open the newly built Church in 1992.

During the visit, His Majesty met a diverse range of community groups and organisations who were involved in the city status bid. The King also met Ukrainian refugees residing in Milton Keynes and city council representatives.

‘Our bid described Milton Keynes as a mosaic of communities united by a love of where we live, and we welcomed His Majesty The King to Milton Keynes today to showcase the real community effort that went in to achieving city status,’ said the leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Pete Marland.

‘We’re very proud of the fantastic work that local people, groups and organisations do, and today was a significant recognition of that effort.’

Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Amanda Marlow, commented: ‘It was an absolute honour to have had His Majesty The King in Milton Keynes to celebrate us becoming a city and what makes us such a welcoming and diverse place.

‘It was a wonderful occasion for everyone involved, especially for our residents who will cherish these memories forever.’