The crowds thronged the pavements and walkways outside Southampton General Hospital, every one of them eager to catch a glimpse of the Duchess – Hampshire’s Sarah Ferguson.
Flags were waved and people cheered on October 23, 1987, as the Duchess of York stopped at the entrance to talk to children from the Shirley Warren Nursery Unit.
Inside she was presented with a posy of flowers by six-year-old Emily Malcomson, who was a patient in the children’s unit at the hospital.
“She said thank you for the flowers and said my dress was very pretty,” said Emily.
“I am a big fan of all the royal family. I waved a flag all the way through the Duke and Duchess’s wedding.”
Fergie was then taken on a tour of the hospital, including the children’s unit where patients had spent the previous few weeks painting pictures of her.
The Duchess then moved on to Royal South Hants Hospital where she joined up with the Duke of York to open an £18 million outpatients centre.
ON THIS DAY…
The average house price £44,434.
Sting’s album Nothing Like the Sun was the best seller.
The Bee Gees were at number one with You Win Again.
Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow was the New York Times best selling book.
People may have been watching The New Statesman on TV.
Gamers may have been playing Maniac Mansion.
Top of the box office was Fatal Attraction.
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