Prime Minister David Cameron announced today that the town Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, will become Royal Wootton Bassett later in 2011.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced today that the town Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, will become Royal Wootton Bassett later this year.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister said:

I recently made a recommendation to Her Majesty the Queen, and I am very pleased today to announce, that Her Majesty has agreed to confer the title ‘Royal’ upon the town, as an enduring symbol of the nation’s admiration and gratitude.  The town will become ‘Royal Wootton Bassett’ later this year.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank the people of Wootton Bassett for “their deeply moving and dignified demonstrations of respect and mourning.

The Mayor of Wootton Bassett, Mary Champion, said:

This is a great honour for our community as the repatriations move away from Wootton Bassett.

Whilst we have never sought recognition for our simple act of respect, I am certain that this will serve to reinforce the pride and gratitude we feel for the members of our Armed Services, who will always be in our thoughts.

See the government’s press release, here.