How Bognor Became 'Regis'
Ever wondered how Bognor got its royal suffix? The story involves King George V, a royal convalescence, and a possibly apocryphal final word.
Bognor is one of only a handful of British towns to bear the suffix 'Regis', meaning 'of the King'. But how did this modest seaside resort earn such a distinguished title?
The story begins in 1929, when King George V was sent to Bognor to convalesce after a serious illness. The King stayed at Craigweil House (now demolished) and spent several weeks recovering by the sea.
The town's bracing air and peaceful atmosphere apparently worked wonders, and in gratitude, the King granted Bognor the right to add 'Regis' to its name. It was a significant honour that put this small Sussex town on the map.
Legend has it that when the King was on his deathbed in 1936, someone suggested he might soon be well enough to return to Bognor. His alleged reply – "Bugger Bognor" – has become part of local folklore, though historians debate whether he actually said it.
Regardless of the King's final words, the 'Regis' suffix remains a point of pride for the town. It's a reminder of Bognor's heyday as a fashionable seaside resort, when even royalty came to enjoy its beaches.
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