In pictures: Thousands enjoy first Windsor & Eton Pride

Pride marchers made history on Saturday as they proudly paraded their flags along The Long Walk towards Windsor and Eton’s first ever pride event.

There was a buzz in the air as organisers were busy putting the final touches to the set up at the event’s main base in Alexandra Gardens.

On The Long Walk marchers donned colourful outfits and flags as they gathered ready to take part in the first ever Pride March to take place from The Long Walk to Alexandra Gardens. 

The event’s official partners Great Western Railway (GWR) had brought along their pride flag and banner and were handing out colourful pride hats and garlands for participants to wear.

Members of British Airways, who also partnered with the event, were also representing at the parade, alongside an array of individuals, companies and community groups.

Some of these included Wickes, the Thames Valley Gay Chorus, Heathrow Express and BeYou.

Participants lined up and at 11.45am were led by a horse and carriage as they marched down The Long Walk and past Windsor Castle on their way through the town centre.

Spectators donned vibrant colours as they cheered and captured photos of the procession as it made its way towards the entrance to the event in Alexandra Gardens.

Once at Alexandra Gardens, marchers stopped for photos at the entrance before venturing into the event to enjoy an afternoon of live entertainment, attractions and browsing stalls.

The park was packed with attractions including a pride village, a cinema and talks tent and a karaoke lounge in the community zone, a SafeSpace4All area with health and wellbeing stalls, bars serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, food vendors, a main bandstand stage and a second stage, known as Indie Rabble Rowsers.

On the main bandstand stage, Windsor & Eton Pride chair Steve Harris and trustee Fiona Lamond, welcomed guests to the event.

Steve spoke of the team’s aim of supporting local businesses with an array of stalls across the event.

Fiona added: “Windsor and Eton Pride was put together specifically with the vision to create platforms that let us all celebrate the fact that we’re all the same, we’re all uniquely human.”

More than 9,000 people made their way into the event to enjoy the celebrations throughout the day.

Earlier in the afternoon, musician Sam Flynn was on the main stage entertaining visitors with an array of covers including James Arthur’s Say You Won’t Let Go.

The event also served as the premiere of a film exploring LGBTQ+ history.

The film, entitled Dragged Through Time, was the brainchild of 14-year-old Jacob Franklin and starred actor Ian McKellen.

Around 3pm, crowds were gathering by the main stage as Jacob and Brad Day of Notice Productions, the company which produced the film, shared more about the movie with attendees.

Jacob then introduced surprise guest Ian McKellen, who said it was ‘lovely’ to have worked with both Jacob and Brad and spoke of the importance of pride events and his own experiences as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

He said: “You should be proud of yourselves for having organised this and particularly for the people who have done the organising.

“It’s been lovely to work with Brad and Jacob, they’re both very talented and they allowed me to have a little part in their film.”

The atmosphere was electric throughout the event and on the main stage where an array of local bands, drama groups and renowned drag artists performed for crowds.

Some of these included Lisa Marie as Adele covering all her classics, including When We Were Young and drag artists Aidan Orange and Ms Joalle, who lit up the stage with a cover of Relight My Fire.

Band Euphoria also entertained guests with a cover of Shine by Take That and crowds also enjoyed a Chappell Roan tribute.

Members of the Dani Harmer Academy of Performing Arts kept crowds dancing with a cover of ABBA’s Money, Money, Money and RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Just May also took to the stage. 

Over on the Indie Rabble Rowsers Stage, the Country Chicks were entertaining with plenty of tunes and people were enjoying a rendition of Venus by The Skin and Blister Sisters later in the day.

The pride village was packed with stalls from a range of charities, businesses, and organisations including Thames Hospice, 124 Studios, the Craft Coop, The Cowshed, Rainbow Gifts, Windsor Street Angels and Busy Buttons.

Newbury Pride had brought along its bus and the team were hosting a stall selling a range of colourful items.

A range of stallholders were situated in the SafeSpace4All zone, including Sacral Sisters, Adopt Thames Valley, Leisure Focus and Slough Children First. 

There was plenty of drinks to enjoy from bars including Indie Rabble Brewing Company, Hop On Inn, Fizz Wheels Mobile Bar and Bubble Pops alcohol free bar.

Food vendors included Fudge Kitchen, Naan & Sizzle, Surrey Ices and Fish & Chips.

Charity Stand Out For Autism had also brought along their Sensory Bus to provide families with sensory sessions.

Following the event, Steve Harris, chair of Windsor & Eton Pride, said: “When we set out to create the first Pride in Windsor, we did so to fill an important gap.

"In this era of increasing global anger and hate, it is so important that people have a place where they can be themselves and express themselves.

“To this end, it was so fantastic to see so many young people participate in our event.”

The event will be returning to Alexandra Gardens on Saturday, July 25 2026.