Cary Me Home

Simon Stabler discovers the history of a Bristol hotel frequented by royalty of the realm and of the silver screen

- Simon Stabler

Despite ranking highly in the American Film Institute's list of the 50 Greatest American Screen Legends, Cary Grant maintained a connection to his native Bristol until his death in 1986.

A regular visitor to the city, especially during his mother's lifetime, the former Archie Leach would often stay at the then Royal Hotel on College Green, a short walk from the Bristol Hippodrome where his road to Hollywood began.

It was while staying at the Royal Hotel in August 1965 that news of his fourth marriage, to actress Dyan Cannon, was made public. Wanting to keep their heads down, the Grants largely escaped harassment from the press thanks to the efforts of the hotel's staff.

On that visit, Grant stayed in the Churchill Suite, named after wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, the longest-serving chancellor of the University of Bristol - from 1929 until his death in 1965 - and a regular guest at the Royal Hotel. Other famous faces who stayed there included Grant's friend Charlie Chaplin, writer Oscar Wilde and Queen Victoria who is immortalised by a statue, created for her golden jubilee, which stands outside the hotel's main entrance.