Southend will welcome Prince Charles in the coming days as part of a historic week for the town. 

The Prince of Wales will be joined by the Duchess of Cornwall during a special visit on Tuesday which is when Southend will officially be declared a city. 

His Royal Highness will be attending a special counil meeting before unveiling the new electric trains on Southend Pier. 

The Echo has dug into the archive to look back on previous royal visits to south Essex, and the photos behind them.

One of the more notable visits saw the Queen and husband Prince Philip travel to St Martins Sqaure in 1999 to open the world’s first glass belltower.

It was not Prince Philip’s first time in Basildon as he also headed to the Carreras Tobacco Factory close to 40 years earlier.

Duke of Edinburgh - Prince Philip chats to some of the girls who worked at the Carreras Tobacco Factory in Basildon during his visit to the premises in March 1960

Duke of Edinburgh - Prince Philip chats to some of the girls who worked at the Carreras Tobacco Factory in Basildon during his visit to the premises in March 1960

The Queen and Prince Philip were also greeted by vast crowds when they headed to Southend seafront in 1999.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Basildon Sporting Village, while Prince Edward briefly got on the decks during a charity event.

Pump the volume - Prince Edward takes over from DJ Andi Bird (left) at a 24 hour sponsored disco dance in 1989

Pump the volume - Prince Edward takes over from DJ Andi Bird (left) at a 24 hour sponsored disco dance in 1989

Scroll down to see more photographs of when members of the Royal Family headed to south Essex.

Gift - the Queen accepts flowers during a visit to South Woodham Ferrers in May 1981

Gift - the Queen accepts flowers during a visit to South Woodham Ferrers in May 1981

Friendly faces - Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, says hello to two excitable youngsters when he paid a visit to Basildon Sporting Village in 2018

Friendly faces - Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, says hello to two excitable youngsters when he paid a visit to Basildon Sporting Village in 2018

Meeting members of the community - the Queen walks in St Martins Square as part of her visit to Essex in March 1999

Meeting members of the community - the Queen walks in St Martins Square as part of her visit to Essex in March 1999

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Memorable moment - Geoffrey Williams, from Basildon, is made an MBE by Prince William during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in March 2014

Memorable moment - Geoffrey Williams, from Basildon, is made an MBE by Prince William during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in March 2014

In conversation - Princess Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, speaks to a Basildon resident when she visited the town close to two-and-a-half years ago

In conversation - Princess Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, speaks to a Basildon resident when she visited the town close to two-and-a-half years ago

Seeing double - the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh open the worlds first glass belltower in St Martins Square in 1999

Seeing double - the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh open the world's first glass belltower in St Martins Square in 1999

Coming face-to-face with royalty - South Essex Gymnastics Club coach Scott Hann visited Buckingham Palace and was made an MBE by Princess Anne in October 2017

Coming face-to-face with royalty - South Essex Gymnastics Club coach Scott Hann visited Buckingham Palace and was made an MBE by Princess Anne in October 2017

Getting involved - William and Kate play boccia as they take part in a Coach Core session at Basildon Sporting Village

Getting involved - William and Kate play boccia as they take part in a Coach Core session at Basildon Sporting Village

Congratulations - Basildon resident Deborah Rogan shakes hands with Prince William as she is made an OBE in 2016

Congratulations - Basildon resident Deborah Rogan shakes hands with Prince William as she is made an OBE in 2016

Well-wishers - the Queen sees countless members of the community waving their Union Jack flags during a trip to Southend in 1999

Well-wishers - the Queen sees countless members of the community waving their Union Jack flags during a trip to Southend in 1999