Ever since a visit by George III in 1788 Gloucestershire has been closely linked with the royal family. Three members of the present royal family live in the county, Prince Charles at Highgrove, The Princess Royal at Gatcombe and the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent at Nether Lypiatt, near Stroud. The royal connection was also maintained through the Cheltenham Festival which the Queen Mother used to visit each year to preside over the famous Queen Mother Champion Chase. 
King George was first attracted to the county by the spa waters of Cheltenham. He stayed in the town with his wife and three daughters for five weeks during which time they visited Gloucester, Cirencester, Tewkesbury and Stroud and attended the Three Choirs Festival to hear music by Handel. The King was widely reported to have enjoyed his stay and as a result medicinal spas became popular and Cheltenham prospered.  | | Edward VII would spend weekends in Cheltenham with Lillie Langtry |
By the end of the 19th Century the Royal Family were still visiting Cheltenham though not necessarily for medicinal purposes. Queen Victoria's eldest son Prince Edward (Edward VII) found the town in the 1880s provided an ideal retreat where he could spend weekends with his mistress the celebrated actress Lillie Langtry. The monarchy's connection with the county has continued through this century with regular visits by the Queen and other leading members of the family.
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