King Charles III visit to Bolton thrills young and old

Once inside, the royals were welcomed by representatives from a number of organisations, including the Bolton Interfaith Council and Solidarity Community Association, Bolton Holiday Activities and Food, Bolton Wanderers in the Community and Fortalice.

The appearance was then concluded with a performance of God Save The King by the Hand Made Sign Language choir.

Lostock Primary School 10-year-olds Imogen Whittacker, Oliver Dando and Lyla Bramah said it was 'sensational' to meet the King.

Lostock Primary School ten-year-olds Imogen Whittacker, Oliver Dando and Lyla Brahmer and headteacher Vicki Guest (Image: Newsquest)

Oliver said: "It was sensational to meet the King really, it will always be a moment I will remember and I just loved every single part, its an honour to meet the King."

Imogen said: "It is definitely a moment any of us will never forget, it was sensational when he shook my hand.

Lyla said: "I just think oh my gosh, I'm just speechless for words right now.

"He shook my hand and I don't think I will ever wash my hand again now, it was such an amazing moment and its been a dream for me to meet royalty since I was small."

The Polonez Manchester dancing group and the Hand Made Sign Language choir said it was an honour to perform for the King and Queen Consort.

Polonez Manchester Folk Dance Group dancing for the King (Image: Danny Crompton)

Asia Cullinan, artistic director for Polonez said: "It was surreal to perform for the King, I didn't quite believe it until he came out of the car.

"It was memorable, historical and I was very privileged to have been asked by the palace themselves to come and perform.

Read more: King Charles has arrived in Bolton for town hall's anniversary

"I'm the artistic director for the group and I wasn't even told  about the royal visit. I just had to beg these people to take time off work and to trust me and then we were all allowed to know about a week ago.

"I feel elated now we have performed and just so privileged to be able to represent Poland in front of the King of England, it was absolutely fantastic."

Dr Paul Whittacker OBE, choir leader of Hand Made Sign Language choir, said: "As the choir leader I think its better if the group say how it was to perform in front of the King.

Performance of God Save The King by the Hand Made Sign Language choir (Image: Newsquest)

"What did it feel like performing in front of the King? Amazing, very proud.

"We are all happy.

"I knew we were performing for them for a few days and had to try and get choir members to join without telling them what it was.

"I don't think anyone was worried when they found out it was the King."

Read more: The warmest of welcomes as hundreds travel to greet His Majesty King Charles III

Gail Herring, choir member, said: "It was just amazing, what have you done today to make you feel proud? It's not everyday you can say you've performed and spoken to the King.

"We just feel really honoured, excited and privileged and it is nice to be recognised for what we do.

"A lot of our group are deaf and working with them is just amazing and it is great to be able to share music together, singing together through a visual language."

Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn and Olena met the King and Queen Consort (Image: Newsquest)

Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, Bolton Branch Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, said he also felt honoured as he met the King and Queen Consort.

He said: "It feels marvellous the fact that after all the officals in the town hall that I was the first to be greeted by his Majesty was an absolute treat.

"Myself and Olena (guest) spent the best part of five minutes talking to Her Majesty and she took a real interest in what was going on in Ukraine.

"It was an honour, not just for me but for all of our community here in Bolton but also nationwide."

Follow our live blog content from the King's visit here: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/23264043.live-majesty-king-charles-iii-comes-bolton/