The Watford Observer is again delighted to be teaming up with its friends at Watford Museum to take another journey back to the past to recall the key events and dates that helped shape the town’s future.
Part 38 of '50 events and dates that shaped Watford' is rather special because it not only captures the celebrations in the town for a royal wedding almost 160 years ago, but it is also possible to tell what time of the day this picture was taken.
The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "It is rare to be able to date an old photograph almost to the minute. The day of this gathering of children was March 10, 1863, to celebrate the marriage of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Naturally, the event was reported by the Watford Observer - in just its eight issue.
The extract from the Watford Observer
"It is from this report that the time can be fixed to a little after 2.30pm as the children were assembled in the Market Place at this time - by 3pm they were in St Mary’s Church for a service.
How the former Market Place looked in 2015. Picture: Google
"The taking of the photograph was an event in itself which the Observer “understood to have been very successful” and noting that it was taken by Mr Frederick Downer from a window in Mr Sedgwick’s house."
Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
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