Crowds turn out for Queen's visit

The sun shone as crowds gathered today in Welshpool to greet the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as they arrived at the town station by royal train.

Her Majesty and the Duke were in the town on the second day of a two-day visit to Wales, having spent yesterday in the north of the country

Welshpool's Mayor Councillor Ann Holloway was among civic leaders in today's line up to greet the Queen and welcome the royal party.

The royal couple had been invited to the the town to visit Welshpool' new livestock market at Buttington Cross, the largest livestock market in Wales and one of the biggest centres for sales of prime and breeding sheep in Europe.

They were due to meet Welshpool Livestock Auctioneers' partners and staff and view the state-of-the-art facilities.

They were then travelling by car to the town centre to attend the farmers' market in the historic town hall to meet stall holders and unveil a plaque.

That was a proud moment for 10-year-old Ellie Jones, from Middletown.

The Buttington Trewern County Primary School pupil had been invited by the town council to play traditional Welsh harp music for the Royal party.

Following the town centre visit the Queen and Duke were due to attend a reception and luncheon for about 30 people at the Royal Oak Hotel.

Neil Benbow, general manager of the Royal Oak Hotel, said: "The visit by the Queen and the Duke is good for The Royal Oak, good for Welshpool and good for Wales."

The royal couple began their tour of the principality yesterday with visits to Caernarfon, Bangor and Llandudno.

It started with a visit to Caernarfon Castle, the scene of their son's investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969.

They went on to recreate a celebrated image from the occasion when they stepped on to the castle's Queen's Gate balcony before a cheering crowd more than four decades ago.

For full coverage of the royal visit with more pictures see tomorrow's Shropshire Star.