YOUNG and old alike turned out in force yesterday to welcome the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as they paid an historic visit to Alnwick.
The streets of the Northumberland market town became a hive of activity as wellwishers gathered in their thousands to welcome the royal visitors.
The Queen was in town for three splendid occasions, and despite early showers, blue skies eventually arrived to provide an appropriate backdrop on the special day.
Their first engagement was the official opening of the new Alnwick Youth Hostel on the town’s Green Batt.
The Queen officially opened the hostel, much to the delight of volunteers who had spent months working on the project, run by Alnwick Community Development Trust.
The royal party were given a tour of the hostel and were introduced to trustees, volunteers and school children who have used the hostel since it opened three weeks ago.
Five-year-old Jack Plumley, of Alnwick, was given the honour of presenting The Queen with a posy of flowers on her arrival.
And Anne Marie Trevelyan, a trustee member of Alnwick Community Development Trust, said she had been more excited about meeting the Queen this time than she was when she first met her at the age of 10.
“I was stupidly excited and it was absolutely fantastic,” she said.
“I was daftly excited, she looked exactly the same as the first time I met her when I was 10. She is a phenomenal lady.
“It is really touching to see so many people’s hard work officially recognised.”
The Queen unveiled the official plaque for the opening, to rapturous applause, before saying she hoped the project would be a huge success.
The couple then moved to Alnwick Castle and Alnwick Garden, for a special party organised to recognise the efforts of Northumberland’s carers and volunteers.
