BRADFORD residents hailed King Charles during his historic visit to the city, with some of them shaking his hand.
Hundreds of people lined up outside Bradford Council’s headquarters, City Hall, to catch a glimpse of the King during his trip to the city as Union Jack bunting surrounded Centenary Square.
Wilfredo Uberas, of Bradford, was bedecked in a Union Jack hat and flag as he spoke of shaking hands with the Monarch.
He said: “I managed to shake his hand. I was really looking forward to coming here.
“I put my alarm on last night to make sure I came here early to make it to the front. I managed to come in near the front.
“I waited for the King and managed to shake his hand. He said; ‘hello Sir’ he said ‘hello, are you alright?’ I said ‘I’m fine, thank you’ He was very friendly.”
Workmates from Bradford Community Payroll took a prime spot in Centenary Square for their view of the King.
Armed with a Union Jack flag and selfie stick, one of the group, Katrina Trueman, said: “We want to be part of history.
“Everyone wants to be here to see him. He seems to be getting out to meet people.”
Brian Warman, 82, of Brighouse, wore a suit and top hat as he waited to meet the King. He carried a thank you letter he received on behalf of the Queen after he sent a CD of his songs to her to mark the Platinum Jubilee last June.
Catherine Gardiner paid a visit to Centenary Square to meet the King alongside her daughters, Alice, who is three months old, and Sophie, two, and her mother Gillian Simpson.
Catherine said: “It’s an amazing opportunity and it’s really good for Bradford that he has come here and living in Bradford and I wanted to come down to see him myself. It feels like history.
“I’ve brought my two daughters down and we had a really good view and we are glad we have come down to see him.”
A group of Esol (English Speakers of other languages) students and tutors from Bradford College made a banner for the King’s visit.
Debbie Balding, Esol tutor, said: “It is really exciting to see the King.
“It is really special that he has chosen us in Bradford as one of his first engagements as King.”
Noah Sanchez, of Manningham, said: “I never met the Queen, this is a first-time experience.
“The fact he is coming to my home city is quite special.”
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