Queen Victoria at Dover, in 1858.
Dover received only 24 hours notice of Queen Victoria's visit to Dover, with Prince Albert on August 31st, 1858. (Incidentally, that was the year the Dover Express newspaper was launched.) The royal couple were returning from a visit to Berlin and had earlier been expected to return home via Gravesend. But it is said the Queen herself gave orders for the royal yacht Victoria and Albert to steam to Dover. But Lord Malmesbury had given warning they might come to the Channel port. The royal yacht, however, was only escorted by Trinity House yacht "Irene" - a squadron of naval escort vessels had steamed to Gravesend. But the customary 21-gun royal salute was fired at Dover, and the royal yacht berthed at the Admiralty Pier. Victoria and Albert inspected guards of honour before boarding a special train prepared for them - just in case. Mayor of Dover, Dr Astley, was present but the customary official welcome by the Dover Corporation did not take place, local crowds being left to cheer the royal party on its way.
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