Crowds gather as Camilla confers city status

The Queen Consort greeted the crowds outside the City Hall

Queen Camilla has formally declared the Isle of Man's capital a city.

Hundreds gathered on the streets of Douglas to see the arrival of the Queen for the official proceedings at the City Hall.

Douglas was one of eight places to receive the honour as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in May 2022.

In a ceremony, the Queen Consort delivered the letters patent, a legal document that confirms the city’s status, made a speech on behalf of King Charles III, and signed the City Hall's visitor book.

The Queen Consort delivered a speech on behalf of King Charles III at Douglas City Hall

In a speech delivered on behalf of King Charles III by the Queen Consort, the granting of Douglas' city's status was described as "particularly special" because the Letters Patent were the "only ones in existence" that hold the signatures of both the King and his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Among those at the ceremony were the Mayor of Douglas Natalie Byron-Teare and council leader Claire Wells.

A plaque was unveiled as part of the official proceedings

Ms Byron-Teare said that the conferral of the Manx capital as a city "represents a significant moment in the long history of Douglas", and the honour would help "as we strive to create a safer, stronger and greener city for all".

Addressing the Queen Consort she said: "For you to travel to our capital to honour us in this way is both exciting and truly special and, on behalf of the city of Douglas and its people, I thank you for sharing this day with us all."

Queen Camilla then moved on to unveil a commemorative plaque outside the building before greeting crowds lining the streets.

Alison Maddrell travelled from Port St Mary to be in the crowd

Alison Maddrell, from Port St Mary the south of the island, said it was "great to welcome the new Queen to the island"

She had made the journey to Douglas because she wanted to be "part of the history of it".

Rachael Hughes said it was "lovely" that the Queen had taken the time to say hello to people

Rachael Hughes, who attended the event with her twins, said it was lovely that she come to the island and it "was lovely that she came over to say hello to the babies" during her visit.

"She also told me that it gets easier when they are two," she added.

Junette Kerbintrie from Douglas said she wanted to be "part of the history" of the occasion

Junette Kerbntrie, who lives in Douglas, said: "It is history made, and I thought I would be part of it."

It would be unlikely she would have been "so close" to the Queen at a similar event in the UK, she added.

Members of the island's cadet forces lined the driveway at Government House

The official party then made its way to Government House, in Onchan, which is the residence of the island's Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer and his wife Lady Phillipa Lorimer.

There, the Queen Consort met senior politicians and representatives from a range of organisations, including the RNLI, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary.

Senior politicians greeted the Queen Consort when she arrived at Government House

Saskia, who presented the Queen with a posy, said she was “excited” about meeting her.

The 10-year-old was chosen to attend Government House after raising £1,400 for local charity Manx Breast Cancer Support by completing the Mini Parish Walk.

Saskia presented Queen Camilla with a basket of flowers

Having spoken to representatives from a number of organisations, charities and community groups, the Queen Consort left Government House to return to the airport at about 15:30 GMT.