Romantic getaway to Dudley: When Royals spent their honeymoon at Himley Hall

After getting married at Westminster Abbey in 1934, Prince George and Princess Marina of Greece – the Duke and Duchess of Kent – celebrated their new life together at our very own Himley Hall.

Hearing the Royal couple were to spend their first post-wedding romantic getaway at the grand mansion, the former home to the Earls of Dudley, Black Country residents at the time, naturally, became very excited.

Thousands of people, lined the route from Birmingham to Wolverhampton, stretching more than ten miles to catch a glimpse of the Royal couple as they made the journey by car.

Keen historian and self-professed 'history influencer' Sarah Haywood, who works as a teaching assistant at Brierley Hill Primary School, has been researching the Royal holiday and shared her finds from the British Newspaper Archives with Express & Star readers.

She said: "During their honeymoon at Himley Hall in 1934, the Duke and Duchess of Kent indulged in strolls through the picturesque estate.

"They joined the parish congregation for a service at Himley Church, went shooting pheasants in Baggeridge Country Park and enjoyed the first ten days of their marriage in the beauty of the surroundings.

" It was reported the couple watched the film of their wedding for the first time in the racquet court, which was converted into a mini cinema for the special occasion.

"To protect the privacy and safety of the newlyweds, plain clothes police officers and special agents from Scotland Yard were on patrol on and around Himley Hall both day and night.

"It was a time of relaxation and exploration for the royal couple, creating cherished memories in this idyllic setting."

The mum-of-two, who lives near Russell's Hall and helps to run the Black Country History Hunter Facebook group, loves nothing more than to spend her free time researching the British National Archives. She's also writing a book on Black Country history.

She said: "I suppose you can call me a history influencer. All of these images are from the British National Archives and I love to share them with you.

"I love the official Honeymoon photo taken on the terrace at Himley Hall. The Royal couple included their beloved dog too.

"And my mother was also named after the Duchess of Kent too, Marina."

Princess Marina, daughter of Prince and Princess Nicholas of Greece and of Denmark, married Prince George, son of King George V and Queen Mary in 1934.

The couple were created Duke and Duchess of Kent, and the young duchess was considered one of the best-dressed women of her time. They had three children Prince Edward, Princess Alexandra, and Prince Michael.

Marina was widowed in 1942, when her husband was killed in a plane crash on active service.

The couple matched each other in popularity with the groom being the dashing fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary.