It is 30 years since the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells was officially opened by Princess Diana.

She was welcomed by huge crowds when she visited the town on October 21, 1992.

The young princess had by then been married to Prince Charles for 10 years, but they were to separate just a year later.

At the time of her visit, John Major was the Prime Minister and Sleeping Satellite by Tasmin Archer was top of the charts.

America, still reeling from the Rodney King riots early that year, had just despatched Marines to Somalia in an attempt to restore order to the lawless state.

In Britain, petrol was 40p a litre and a loaf of bread 52p.

The big political event of the year had been the collapse of sterling, and Britain's withdrawal from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, which became known as Black Wednesday, the month before.

Mr Blobby made his television debut on BBC's Noel's House Party that week, while Patriot Games, starring Harrison Ford, was the biggest grossing film in UK cinemas.

The Internet had been created nine years earlier, but had yet to make any real impression on the life of Joe Public who still had no idea then how the world would be totally transformed by the new technology.

The Royal Victoria Place shopping centre took three years to build and cost £72 million.

The freehold is owned by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. The head lease has changed hands several times and since 2018 has been owned by British Land.

The centre, with its towering columns, palm trees and glass roofs, combined a modern greenhouse feel with classical styling. It initially housed 100 shops and had opened its doors to shoppers on April 7, six months ahead of the Princess's visit.

This past weekend, Royal Victoria Place celebrated its 30th anniversary with balloons and gifts of cakes to 250 shoppers.

The centre is home to stores including Fenwick, M&S, Next, HMV, Oliver Bonas, Hobbs, Hotel Chocolat, Lush, Superdry and French Connection.

This year, they have been joined by a range of new independent businesses, including The Green Duck Emporium, and hairdressers Belgravia, and has seen Gymboree Play and Music, which provides a programme of baby and toddler classes, upsize to a bigger space due to its popularity with families.

For full details of stores and opening times, click here.

Nicky Blanchard, centre manager at Royal Victoria Place, said: “We’re thrilled to have reached this milestone and had a fantastic time celebrating with visitors this past weekend.

"Royal Victoria Place has given Tunbridge Wells residents a wealth of memories, stores, and services over the last 30 years, and we can’t wait to continue to support our local community this upcoming Christmas and beyond.”