Huge crowds turned out to welcome the Duchess of York to Oxford in October 1931.

The Oxford Mail reported: "From the moment she smilingly stepped from the train on the GWR station to the time she returned to London later in the afternoon, her magnetic personality held fast the affections of Oxford people.

"At various points along the route she traversed, buildings were decorated with flags and bunting and added much to the animation of the scene.

"Fortunately, the weather was all that could be desired and along the route the streets were thronged with people, and here and there were schoolchildren waving small flags with enthusiasm.

"It was a right royal welcome and the dense throng was fully rewarded for patient waiting by the smile with which the Duchess acknowledged the cheers.

"Women in particular turned out in large numbers and appreciated how charmingly attired the Duchess was.

"She had chosen a close-fitting hat of sky blue, her favourite colour, and a grey coat with grey fur collar for her visit."

A large crowd gathered at the railway station to welcome the Duchess and a "lusty cheer went up" as she emerged from the platform.

"The whole of West Oxford had apparently turned out for the occasion, but the cordon of police had no difficulty controlling the crowd."

She was driven in a semi-open car along Park End Street and New Road to Pembroke College, passing Carfax where another large crowd had gathered.

After receiving her honorary degree from the university, she was driven along Cornmarket Street, Beaumont Street and Walton Street to the maternity department.

In the front quadrangle, she was greeted by dignitaries and members of the nursing staff, before being received at the front door by Sister Clarke-Kennedy, who then showed her round the building.

According to the Mail: "She displayed an intense interest in everything she was shown and she chatted cheerily with the patients in the ward who were overjoyed at her visit.

"Her Royal Highness immediately put them at their ease with her unassuming manner and she had a smile and kind word for the 27 mothers and 23 babies she saw."

The Duchess performed the opening ceremony from a specially-erected platform in the grounds, watched by staff from all vantage points.

She was presented with a bouquet of carnations by Miss Grace Goldsworthy, the first child born at the old maternity home in Museum Road.

Various speakers thanked the Duchess and praised Sir William Morris, who financed the building with £40,000.

The ceremony ended with God Save the King and afterwards, tea was served inside the building while the band of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry played outside.

The Mail report concluded: "Shortly before half past four, the Duchess left by car for the station to catch the train back to London and dense crowds again lined the route along Woodstock Road, St Giles, Beaumont Street and Hythe Bridge Street.

"As the train steamed out of the station, the Duchess, who could be seen smiling from the window of her special compartment, acknowledged the departing cheer."