Front Royal Town Manager Reflects on ‘Historic’ Royal Visit

Front Royal Town Manager Joe Petty is still taking it all in after a visit many in the community never imagined would happen.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a stop in Front Royal during their recent trip to the United States, drawing large crowds and marking what Petty called one of the most significant days in the town’s history.

Front Royal Town Manager Joe Petty speaks following the visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

“I was born and raised in Front Royal, and I have been the town manager for a year,” Petty said. “So to do this within the first year is quite amazing.”

For Petty, the moment was both personal and historic.

“It’s a very historic moment for our community, and we’re very blessed to have this community show up and be excited,” he said. “It was a real honor.”

Petty said the visit offered a chance to showcase what makes Front Royal special, from its people to its community organizations.

“Why not pick Front Royal?” he said. “It was great to showcase a lot of the nonprofit organizations that do a lot for our youth and even our adults. I think they recognize everything that this community puts back into it.”

The event required weeks of preparation and coordination among multiple agencies. Petty described it as a true team effort involving local and state law enforcement, emergency services, and town staff.

“If you were here three days ago, it looked nothing like this,” he said. “It was a true team effort.”

Petty also had the opportunity to meet the King and Queen, thanking them for visiting and witnessing their interactions with local residents. One moment that stood out was their time with a local Little League team that recently won a state championship.

“That’s something they’ll remember for a long time,” he said.

The royal visitors also took in local culture, including music and Appalachian clogging performances, which Petty said they appeared to enjoy.

Crowds lined the streets for hours to catch a glimpse of the royal couple, creating an atmosphere Petty described as both energetic and positive.

“The crowds were wonderful,” he said. “They stayed in great spirits, and I really hope that moment was worth it for everybody—because I think it was.”

Petty compared the day to another major moment in Front Royal’s past: actor and singer Bing Crosby’s visit roughly 75 years ago. Crosby’s trip helped support the construction of a local baseball stadium that still bears his name.

“This is tops on the list of one of the biggest days, especially in my generation,” Petty said.

As for whether this visit might leave a similar lasting mark, Petty said it’s possible.

“We may have to think about it,” he said. “This historic moment, we may have to honor it in some way.”

Despite weeks of planning, Petty said the reality of the visit didn’t fully sink in until the day arrived.

“When I took this job a year ago, this was definitely not on the list of things I thought I would be doing,” he said. “I think today everybody just is the same—wow, just wow.”

Thanks to the AP news pool for coverage of the event.