For the first time in history Queen Elizabeth II will come face-to-face with Queen Victoria in Chester.

On Wednesday, September 9, The Queen will supersede her predecessor and great-great-grandmother in becoming the longest serving British monarch and both monarchs, represented by supersized lookalikes, will meet at Chester’s historic Cross. Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years and 216 days.

The special meeting of the giant queens, built by The Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd, has been orchestrated by artist Russell Kirk, the man behind the city’s renowned Watch parades.

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The 12’ tall Queen Victoria will be at the Cross from 10.30am until noon when she will proceed to the Grosvenor Bridge.

A young Victoria, as a Princess, visited the city in 1832 to open the sandstone single-span arched structure, designed by Thomas Harrison, which spans the River Dee.

Queen Victoria

She will leave Chester via temporary gates at the Eastgate held in place by a group of Roman legionaries, the original founders of the city.

She will pass under the Eastgate Clock, built to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 but only presented to the monarch in 1899 on the occasion of her 80th birthday because of public disquiet about the cost of the giant time-piece when the project was first mooted.

At the same time, a giant Queen Elizabeth II figure wearing haute couture created by Chester’s Matthew O’Brien, Britain’s Top Designer 2013-2014, will enter the city in a symbolic takeover of the title of longest reigning monarch in British history from Queen Victoria.

Chester’s husband and wife Town Crier team David and Julie Mitchell will provide a lively and entertaining commentary during the ceremony.

Managing director of The Mill Hotel and Spa Gordon Vickers, who is leading an initiative to create permanent heritage gates at the Eastgate to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, said: “We want as many people as possible to turn up and enjoy the ceremony. We would be delighted if spectators would bring Union Jack flags to wave at the event and make it a truly memorable occasion.

A sketch by design consultant Russell Kirk to show what the gates might look like if they were reinstated at the Eastgate

“The city has been a supporter of royalty across the centuries and its importance to the monarchy is reflected in the title Earl of Chester granted in accordance with Royal protocol to the sovereign’s eldest son, so it’s highly appropriate that we should celebrate the longest reign in British history with a spectacular event.”