Her Majesty The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's visit to the region

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5:24pm

5:24pm

4:05pm

The Queen spoke to members of Tees Active Academy Paddlers' Group before getting into her car and leaving Stockton as her tour of the North-East comes to a close.

3:58pm

The Queen officially unveils a plaque marking the opening of White Water Raft Centre as canoeists carrying pyrotechnics try out the new course.

3:54pm

Crowds gather at White Water Raft Centre as the Queen arrives for the official opening.

Queen at Tees Barrage

3:50pm

The Queen arrives for the official opening of the White Water Raft Centre at Tees Barrage.

Queen

3:46pm

The Queen set the water flowing with a loud explosion and now fire and rescue crews are performing a re-enactment of a car trapped in a flood, while canoeists come through the rapids.

3:44pm

3:39pm

The Queen is now meeting Stockton diginitaries as she makes her way towards specialist fire and rescue crews, before hitting the switch to set the rapids away.

3:32pm

3:26pm

 

3:23pm

The crowds are cheering as the Queen arrives at Tees Barrage.

2:53pm

Thousands of people are lining the banks of the waters ports centre waiting for the Queen to arrive in 20 minutes time.

2:53pm

 Last minute preparations taking place in Stockton before the Queen arrives to open the white water rafting centre

1:06pm

1:06pm

1:05pm

1:05pm

1:01pm

That's it folks. I'm not invited to lunch so the Palace wants us out of here. The crowds cheered, the sun shone and now they've gone to have a bite to eat. Tees Barrage awaits. I'm now off to have my Pot Noodle and scotch egg!

1:00pm

Queen has now gone into Durham Castle for lunch. On the menu is salmon salad with chilli caviar, beef and souds, strawberry and yoghurt sorbet.

12:57pm

12:57pm

Since Sunderland she's opened the new Tyne Tunnel and been to Gateshead Stadium. After Durham it's on to the Tees Barrage at Stockton.

12:54pm

Lots of handshakes. You have got to admire her stamina.

12:54pm

Queen walked straight past me. Was it something I blogged?

12:53pm

 

 

12:53pm

12:51pm

Is the Queen's outfit apricot or peach? It's all orange to me - but then I am a bloke and I am colour blind.

12:50pm

12:50pm

 

 

12:50pm

 

12:50pm

Lord Lieutenant now introducing the Queen to guests in the courtyard of Durham Castle.

12:47pm

Queen and Duke of Edinburgh out of the car, shaking hands with the guests.

12:44pm

Sir Paul Nicholson, Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, is nervously peering through the castle gates.

12:43pm

Queen is here! Huge cheers. Car drives slowly round Palace Green. Fans lining the route.

12:42pm

People lining Palace Green too. And inside Durham Castle the dignitaries are lined up and waiting.

12:40pm

 

12:39pm

12:38pm

12:37pm

12:36pm

12:36pm

12:36pm

12:35pm

Hello again blog fans, service resumed! Enroute to Durham Castle, where Queen is expected for lunch at 12.50pm. It's a lovely sunny day here.

12:34pm

Crowds waiting for Royals in Durham are three deep on Saddler Street. Cameras at the ready.

11:29am

The Queen arrives in Sunderland for the Vulcan flypast

10:41am

Everyone very happy with how the Royal visit to Sunderland went. Lots of smiles. Royals now off to Tyne Tunnel.

I'll catch up with them in Durham later on today.

10:39am

Queen now finished seeing the exhibition and has left the Quay. Next stop is the official opening of the Tyne Tunnel. It's all go!

10:37am

Kirk Hirst, aged 10, talked to Prince Philip about his holidays (not Prince Philip's!) He told him he's going to a caravan in Stanhope. 

10:31am

1990's room focuses on Sunderland's regeneration, including city status, build up of university and Stadium of Light.

10:29am

Crowds waiting to enter exhibition after Her Majesty leaves - probably bursting to see the English pork pies v German sausages!!

10:28am

10:27am

Exhibition room on 1988. First year of Sunderland Airshow.

10:27am

1970's room focuses on industrial heritage. Wind getting up, blowing the red carpet away.

10:24am

10:23am

Queen entering 1966 World Cup room, with 'food football'; English pork pies v German sausages!

10:23am

Queen will spend 30 minutes in exhibition, with a room devoted to each decade. First room is 1950's, with shops and Coronation street party.

10:15am

 

10:10am

 Queen has stepped foot on Sunderland soil, stepped on dry land to huge cheers. Wearing peach hat and outfit. Shook a few hands. Now looking around exhibition of 60 years of Sunderland. 

10:04am

There goes the Vulcan bomber! But The Queen watched it from the other side of the yacht - so we couldn't see her.

Vulcan

10:03am

 

10:00am

Everyone running for their brollies, but seems it was just a shower

10:00am

Duke of Edinburgh out on deck of yacht Leander to view Vulcan flypast - no sign of the Queen yet.

Comments(1)

doonhamer says...
11:51am Thu 19 Jul 12

What was that silly mare and the retard the Chookie Embra doing up here ? Do we, in this modern day and age, have to suffer these parasites that sponge off the state when other human beings are living in poverty and in some cases starving. Who the hell are they anyway, they are past their sell by date and when they pop off it should be a day of tremendous rejoicing. Long live the Republic all men are equal etc, and up the RA

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