2-879-355 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Bull Ring Centre, Birmingham, 29/05/1964. The opening ceremony for the Bull Ring Centre, showing HRH Prince Philip and company walking down the spiral ramp as a huge crowd watches. On 29th May 1964, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, opened the Bull Ring Centre. The Duke toured the site, meeting various people along the way and unveiling a commemorative plaque in the Centre Court. A formal lunch was then held in his honour at the Mecca Banqueting Hall; part of the new Bull Ring development. Approximately 400 guests attended, including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Alderman F. Price, and William Kirby Laing, and speeches about the scheme were delivered. The ceremony was held on Oak Apple Day, an old public holiday on 29th May commemorating the restoration of the English monarchy. An oak apple spray was therefore presented to the Duke to wear on the lapel of his suit jacket.