SUSSEX DAY 16th JUNE 2010
Louis Philippe & his Queen
A Royal Visit
By Richard Beckett
From your Newhaven Correspondent 17th June 2010.
The 16th June is "Sussex Day" and yesterday was an unusually special one as the deposed King & Queen of France, who recently escaped from the French revolution, had travelled in secret and in disguise from their château at Dreux to Le Havre where the British Consul provided them with a passport in the name of Mr and Mrs Smith. A Paddle Steamer brought them from France and on arrival off the harbour, they were rowed ashore at about 11 am. After landing they were driven in a horse-drawn Landau to the Bridge Hotel where they spent the night accompanied by two ladies in waiting. This morning a special train was arranged, and they have now taken up residence at Claremont House in Esher, Surrey, kindly provided by Her Imperial Majesty, Queen Victoria where they will now stay in exile.