One royal visit changed Worthing for ever in 1798. Shortly after Princess Amelia, daughter of King George III, first visited to enjoy the waters, this small West Sussex fishing village became an elegant Georgian bathing resort, famously captured by Jane Austen in her unfinished novel Sanditon. The author spent a long holiday in the town in 1805.

Why am I telling you this? Because Worthing is about to get another royal visitor. Erich von Stroheim and Gloria Swanson’s Queen Kelly, in Milestone’s regal new restoration, will screen at the fabulous Connaught Cinema on 6 December. I will be there to introduce the screening and to sign copies of The Curse of Queen Kelly afterwards.

The screening is part of a fantastic Hollywood Reframed season, which complement a wonderful exhibition by Cathy Lomax at Worthing Museum & Gallery, entitled Reflexion: enchantment, self-identity and film. Highly recommended!

“The royal we” would be honoured to see you there!

• You can book tickets to see Queen Kelly in Worthing here.
• Check out the Hollywood Reframed screenings and events here.
• You can read more about The Curse of Queen Kelly and order a copy here.