Royal landmarks and historic events in Royal Greenwich
Royal Greenwich has long-standing ties to the Crown through its royal institutions, public spaces and historic events. The following timeline sets out major milestones across key sites in the borough.
Royal dockyards
Greenwich played a key role in England’s naval history. The Royal Dockyards supported shipbuilding and royal travel.
- 1512 – Woolwich Dockyard founded by Henry VIII (closed 1 October 1869)
- 1513 – Deptford Dockyard founded by Henry VIII (closed 1869)
- 1841 – Queen Victoria and Prince Albert attended the launch of HMS Trafalgar
- 1843 and 1844 – Queen Victoria and Prince Albert departed for Scotland from Woolwich Dockyard
- 1854 – Queen Victoria and Prince Albert attended the launch of HMS Royal Albert
Royal Naval College
The site now occupied by the University of Greenwich has a long naval history.
- 1694 – William and Mary founded the Royal Hospital for Seamen as a charity for retired naval personnel
- 1869 – Hospital closed
- 1873 – Buildings became home to the Royal Naval College (students included the Duke of Edinburgh and Duke of York)
- 1997 – Royal Naval College closed. The buildings are now part of the University of Greenwich
Royal Observatory
- 1676 – Founded by Charles II to advance astronomical research
- Astronomers Royal have included John Flamsteed, Edmond Halley, and George Biddell Airy
Greenwich Park
- 1433 – Park enclosed by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
- 1447 – Became Crown property after Humphrey's death
- 1510 – Park stocked with deer by Henry VIII
- 1661 to 1665 – Charles II commissioned major landscaping works
- c.1730 to 1857 – Greenwich Fair became a popular annual event held in the park
Horatio Nelson and Greenwich
- 1797 – Admiral Horatio Nelson stayed at the Royal Hospital for Seamen while having his portrait painted by Lemuel Abbott
- 1806 – Nelson’s body lay in state at the hospital for four days before his funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral