A Royal Visit: His Majesty King Charles III Visits Lichfield Cathedral and the National Memorial Arboretum

Earlier this week, Staffordshire proudly welcomed His Majesty King Charles III for a special visit to two of our county’s treasured attractions – Lichfield Cathedral and the National Memorial Arboretum.

Families and well-wishers gathered outside Lichfield Cathedral to greet the King, who was warmly welcomed at Lichfield train station by Graham Morley, Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Tim Gillow, High Sheriff of Staffordshire, and Paul Williams, Chairman of Staffordshire County Council.

During his visit the King heard from various volunteer and community groups, learning about the inspiration for The Fenland Black Oak Table from Hamish Low, listening to inspiring music from MusicShare and Lichfield Cathedral Choir, and seeing how Lichfield Cathedral is working closely with the CWF (Cathedral Workshop Fellowship) to train the next generation on vital heritage crafts such as stonemasonry.

The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane, Dean of Lichfield, said:

“We were thrilled to welcome His Majesty The King 14 years after The Late Queen Elizabeth II, visited us. We are so proud of our magnificent Cathedral and City and it means a great deal to everyone to be able to show The King all that is happening in our community. The Cathedral is hosting the awe-inspiring Fenland Black Oak Table this year, and we gathered around it groups which represent all that is creative in our City and County, as well as demonstrating how we are encouraging heritage crafts with our trainee stonemasons, and encouraging young people through our music outreach programme.”

During the day, His Majesty also attended a moving dedication ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum, unveiling An Opened Letter — the UK’s first permanent memorial to LGBT+ members of the Armed Forces, past and present. The sculpture marks 25 years since the ban on lesbian, gay, and bisexual military personnel was lifted.

UK Ministry of Defence © Crown copyright 2025

Created by the Norfolk-based Abraxas Academy and developed by Fighting with Pride, the memorial was funded by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. The King was joined by Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones, and around 300 LGBT+ service personnel, veterans, and members of the Armed Forces community.

The sculpture, shaped like an opened letter, symbolises the personal correspondence once used to incriminate individuals under the ban. Today, it stands as a powerful tribute to the journey from pain and shame to pride and honour.