Presenting the Keys of the Fortress

This unusual ceremony took place at the Landport Gate when a Sovereign visited Portsmouth. The Gate was closed and the Keys, to Landport and Quay Gates, both highly decorated and each over a pound in weight, were presented to the Sovereign. They would then be returned to the Garrison commander and a Royal Command given to ‘throw open the gates of His Majesty’s Fortress that the King may enter’. This ceremony occurred for the last time on 8 June 1959 when the current Queen came to re-open the Portsmouth Guildhall.