IT is set to be a special four-day weekend across Herefordshire and the rest of UK and Commonwealth as we toast the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
After 70 years of magnificent service, which has seen her be a beacon of continuity through times of change, big crowds turned out to see the Queen when she visited Herefordshire, such as in 1957 and 2003.
The first British monarch in history to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee returned to her Windsor Castle home with her dogs on Tuesday after a pre-jubilee a break at Balmoral as she paces herself ahead of the four days of festivities.
In London, Trooping the Colour took place on Thursday, with the Queen seen on the Buckingham Palace balcony, but she missed a service at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday.
On Saturday evening, the BBC’s Party at the Palace – set on three stages in front of Buckingham Palace – will entertain a crowd of 22,000 people and a television audience of millions.
The line-up includes Diana Ross, Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Nile Rodgers, Andrea Bocelli, Duran Duran, Bond composer Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow and George Ezra.
Princes Charles and William are preparing to deliver public tributes at the concert to the Queen, watching from Windsor.
Here, we take a look back at the Queen's visits to Herefordshire in pictures:
Crowds line the streets during the Queen and Prince Philip visit to Hereford as part of her Diamond Jubilee Tour in 2012. Picture: Chas Breton
The Duke of Edinburgh with the Queen at a visit to Hereford Cathedral in 2012. Picture: Derek Foxton
Prince Philip and the Queen visit Hereford on Maundy Thursday, 1976. Picture: Derek Foxton Archive
Police controlling a large crowd outside Hereford Cathedral in 1957
The Queen waves to crowds at Edgar Street Athletics Ground in 1957
Joe, Will, Isabelle, Richard and Bruce Binnersley during a royal visit in 2003
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh wave from Ross-on-Wye’s Market House during 1957’s visit
The Queen takes a gift during her visit in 1957
The Queen outside Ledbury’s Market House in 1957
The Queen during a visit in 1996 when she officially opened Hereford’s library
The Queen sits alongside Prince Philip during a visit
The Queen at Hereford’s Blind College in December 1987
The Queen with Prince Philip at Bulmers in 1987
Hereford Cathedral in 1996 to visit the Mappa Mundi exhibition, with the then dean Robert Willis
The Queen at John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye in 2003 where she was met by head Nigel Griffiths
The Queen during visit to John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye in 2003
The Queen on a visit to Hollybush Family Centre in the St Martin’s area of Hereford in 2003
The Queen unveiled a memorial plaque at Hereford Cathedral in 2012. Picture: Chas Breton
The Queen at Hereford Cattle Market in 1957
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during a visit to Queenswood in 1957
Cider Museum founder Bertam Bulmer presents the Queen with a bottle. Picture: Derek Evans Archive
The Queen shares a joke with the staff of Keith and Peter’s hairdressers during a visit to Hereford in 1996
The Queen inspecting livestock at Hereford Cattle Market in 1957
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