Wednesday 29th July 1992 marked an important day in the borough's calendar, as the people of Kingston prepared to welcome a very special guest. 

Policeman, first aid and council workers, volunteers and entertainers, were all frantically preparing Kingston's Ancient Market Place for the arrival of her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. 

Back at Kingston's Guildhall, bouquets were being prepared and silver meticulously polished. 

The Royal Mayor of Kingston at the time, Cllr David Edwards, donned is red robes for the occasion and walked through the streets of Kingston awaiting the Queen's arrival at Horsefair Quay. 

As thousands of eager locals waited for Her Majesty to disembark at the quay, trumpeters from Kingston University heralded her arrival. 

As the Mayor of Kingston greeted Her Majesty, she was presented to council representatives and John Hirsch, the Commander of the Metropolitan Police. 

Her Majesty presenting Kingston University's Vice Chancellor with a document delcaring the university's universal status. (Credit: Screengrab, Kingston Heritage Service).

The Queen then presented Dr Robert Smith, vice chancellor of Kingston University at the time, with a document declaring universal status to the university. 

Before embarking on her walk through the town centre, Her Majesty was presented with a posy from a beaming young girl, Alexandra. 

"White roses will always remind me of Kingston", said the Queen as she accepted Alexandra's welcome to the royal borough. 

Queen Elizabeth II started her walk near Bentalls, unveiling a plaque to commemorate the restoration of the Aston Webb Façade as part of the centre, which at the time was celebrating 125 years of trading. 

Continuing alongside Church Street, the Queen gracefully accepted every bouquet and posy passed to her by Kingston residents. 

Her Majesty was introduced to Charlie Kent and his family. Charlie was one of the market's oldest traders having worked at his stall for over 50 years, which had been in his family for over 100. The Kent's were known to generations of Kingstonians. 

Queen Elizabeth II greets Charlie Kent, of Kingston Market, and his family (Credit: Screengrab, Kingston Heritage Service).

The next port of call was to see Kingston's most ancient and historic possession, the Coronation Stone. 

The Mayor explained to the Queen that although it had occupied half a dozen resting places since leaving the parish church yard 250 years earlier, it had not been moved since her last visit in 1961. 

The Garde I listed stone, said to be the site of the coronation of seven Anglo-Saxon kings, is the reason the borough has its royal status. 

Her Majesty was humoured by a story from the Mayor as he explained when the Stone of Scone was stolen from Westminster Abbey in the 1950, police placed Kingston's coronation stone under guard. 

The leader of the council then invited Her Majesty to unveil the plaque commemorating her visit to the borough in her 40th year of reign and explained to her how it would be kept in the Guildhall, where it remains today. 

Celebrations were not confined to the town centre, residents at Hobkirk House Care Home in New Malden raised a glass to the Queen and younger energetic children in Chessington enjoyed a sports day. 

Back at the Guildhall, guests from all over the borough were arriving to music from the royal youth orchestra as refreshments were being prepared for over 300 guests. 

Her Majesty inspected a guard of honour before greeting previous mayors of Kingston and individuals renowned in the borough for their communal work. 

As the reception drew to a close, the mayor said a few words on behalf of the borough, thanking the Queen for her visit. 

Crowds cheered and applauded as Her Majesty departed with her single rose gifted to her by a proud resident given pride of place next to her. 

Two days later, a letter arrived from Bucking Palace addressed to Cllr David Edwards. 

"My Dear Mayor, when we returned to Buckingham Palace yesterday afternoon the Queen asked me to write to thank you, and through you, the citizens of Kingston for a quite marvellous welcome. 

"To endure the heat of the afternoon, the people who turned out had shown endurance and loyalty. The fact that so many citizens did so was proof that Kingston's links with the crown are as strong as ever, her majesty enjoyed her afternoon enormously and your kind words were greatly appreciated."

As the nation goes into mourning, the people of Kingston will hold in their hearts Queen Elizabeth II's memorable visit to the royal borough, and indeed in 2002, where Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh visited All Saints Parish Church to unveil a stone commemorating the 110th anniversary of the coronation of King Edward the Elder. 

For a woman who spent her life serving her country, may she rest in peace.    

To view the video documenting Her Majesty's visit to Kingston in 1992, click the link here.