City's year-long celebrations mark big anniversary

Next year marks the 400th anniversary of Leeds being given self-governing status

A full 12 months of celebrations will take place next year to mark 400 years since Leeds received its first royal charter, giving it the right to self-governance.

Residents, groups and organisations would be invited to mark the anniversary with events throughout the year, the council has said.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, deputy leader of Leeds City Council, said he wanted it to be "a celebration of the people of Leeds".

"I want to make sure this birthday is celebrating every corner of the city, not just the city centre, because each of these places, they've got their own identity too," Pryor said.

It was on 13 July 1626 that King Charles I issued a charter that recognised Leeds as a self-governing borough. It went on to be granted city status in 1893.

Pryor said: "I think we can look back at our history while also celebrating what makes our city so incredible now."

Royal visit plan

Leeds City Council, Leeds Civic Trust and the Chamber of Commerce are among the organisations currently planning the event, with the programme of events due to be launched next month.

Martin Hamilton, director at Leeds Civic Trust, said the celebrations would give people the opportunity to look at the city's history "in a slightly different way".

"I think it's important to look back at that time, but also to think about what that means for the future and how we develop as a city," he explained.

"Wouldn't it be interesting to have a sense of, what was the weather like 400 years ago in Leeds? Then think about how that's changed over time."

Mr Hamilton said they had also been in touch with the Lord Lieutenant, who is the King's representative in West Yorkshire, with the hope of a royal visit during 2026.

"King Charles I issued the first charter, King Charles II revised the charter, and we're now onto King Charles III," he said.

"I think if we could get the King, it would be a really neat way of reflecting that history."

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