Shocked passers-by were doing double takes as the Royal Family appeared on Southport’s Promenade!

Her Majesty The Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, Harry and Meghan were among regal figures lining up outside Silcock’s Funland on the Promenade and waving Union Jack flags as bemused onlookers walked past.

The event saw the owners and staff members at Silcock’s wear face masks of royal family members as excitement builds over the forthcoming four-day Platinum Jubilee Weekend to celebrate 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II on the throne.

Silcock’s Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince said: “Silcock’s is proud to be celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with all our customers and staff!

“As always, Silcock’s Funland, Silcock’s Carousel and Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant will be open all day, every day.

“We have just finished putting bunting all around the Carousel, and our other attractions! Our members of staff are all enjoying getting involved.

“We have also painted some new Jubilee artwork on our shutters at Silcock’s Funland.

“We have just had a bit of fun and are looking forward to The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“We would love to see people come and join us for Jubilee prizes and lots of fun.

“We are also running a special Jubilee offer, of a free Jubilee sherbert topping when you buy a 99 ice cream.

“We also have lots of Jubilee prizes inside our prize shop in Funland.

“We have corgi toys, British bulldogs, Queen china mugs, and other Jubilee prizes.”

Southport has been gradually turning red, white and blue over the past few weeks, with bunting and flags appearing outside homes, shops, restaurants and leisure attractions. It promises to be a memorable June.

The Jubilee weekend will also see Southport Food and Drink Festival taking place among other events, with lots of reasons for visitors to come in and enjoy all that Southport has to offer.

Serena Silcock-Prince said: “There are lots of Jubilee street parties and other celebrations being planned in Southport, everyone is getting quite excited!

“You can’t beat celebrating the Jubilee weekend sitting outside our restaurant at the entrance to Southport Pier, enjoying some great fish and chips, followed by one of our special Jubilee ice creams.

“There are so many great reasons for people to come to Southport during the Jubilee weekend. There is so much going on! We are really looking forward to it.

“It is great to have something to celebrate that the whole community can get involved with. There is such a feelgood factor to it.

“Hopefully the sun will be out shining on Sunny Southport for our Queen during our Jubilee weekend!”

Silcock’s Funland on the Promenade, Southport, offers fun for all the family with children’s games, rides and Southport’s best Ticket Game Zone where the games are fun to play and easy to win. Inside Funland you will find a Snack Bar offering toasties, paninis, sandwiches, fries, jacket potatoes, snacks and hot and cold drinks.

For more details about Southport Funland please visit: www.silcock-leisure.co.uk

Reported by Andrew Brown of Stand Up for Southport