Charter Stone Saves The Day

It seems that for the time being at least, the Hampshire town of Romsey will have to rely on its Charter Stone standing in the shadow of the historic Norman Abbey, as its sole public recognition of the town’s links with royalty.
According to the local newspaper, the Romsey Advertiser, a plan mooted to add the tag of Royal or Regis to the town’s name created such a furore among local people, that the idea has been shelved.
The idea was mooted to recognise the links between the royal family and the town, largely engendered by the family connections of the Mountbattens and the royal family.  The late Earl Mountbatten was Prince Philip’s uncle.
An online survey was set up to gauge public opinion on the proposal to seek a name change, and according to the newspaper report, resulted in overwhelming support for a “stay as we are,” rejecting the idea of a ‘Royal Romsey.’
The Charter Stone itself was unveiled by the Queen on June 8, 2007 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter to the town by King James 1, and stands just a few yards from the historic Abbey.
It was only in June this year that the Queen and Prince Philip were last in Romsey for the wedding at the Abbey of Alexandra Knatchbull and Thomas Hooper. The bride was walked down the aisle by Prince Charles.
So was it a bizarre idea to propose a name change to Royal Romsey?  It certainly seems to have divided opinion in the town