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Whitehall, April 22, 1926
"The King has been pleased, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing the date 21st instant, to ordain that the County Borough of Portsmouth shall be a City and shall be called and styled "The City of Portsmouth" and that the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the said Borough shall be one body politic and corporate by the name and style of "The Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the City of Portsmouth"
With this announcement in the London Gazette of 23 April 1926, Portsmouth became a city. The town had previously been denied this honour twice in 1901 and 1911, the reason being the lack of a requisite population of 300,000. The campaign to achieve city status had taken over 25 years and was the result of much lobbying, both within the city and beyond.
Read more at Visit Portsmouth.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved throughout the year, including:
100 Things To Do in Portsmouth guide
Portsmouth100 film screenings
Citywide events and exhibitions
Visit portsmouth100.co.uk for more information.
Additional community events, celebration plans and how you can take part will be listed here.

£100,000 of Free Art to Be Hidden Across Portsmouth This Easter Portsmouth is set to become a giant treasure map this Easter as I get busy hiding £100,000 worth of free art across the city.
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday, thousands of pieces of artwork will be hidden in streets, parks and public spaces across Portsmouth — all completely free to find and keep.
The city-wide treasure hunt is open to everyone and free to take part in. Clues will be released throughout the weekend on my socials using the hashtag #MDSFindIt100, giving residents and visitors the chance to track down hidden pieces.
The treasure will include signed prints, bronze sculptures, original artworks and a stunning £4,000 necklace created in collaboration with renowned jewellery designer charlottecorneliusjewels . Thousands of items will be waiting to be discovered, turning Portsmouth into an interactive celebration of art, generosity and community.
In addition to the hidden artwork, “spotters” will be out and about across the city. Those seen proudly wearing their love of My Dog Sighs — whether on clothing, badges or accessories — may be rewarded with special goodies.
This is about joy, surprise and giving something back to the city. Art shouldn’t always sit behind a price tag — sometimes it should just be found, kept and loved
Participants are encouraged to hunt safely, respect public spaces and share their discoveries online using #MDSFindIt100.
Whether you’re a seasoned art hunter or simply fancy a different kind of Easter adventure, this is a chance to explore Portsmouth and maybe uncover something extraordinary.