The Queen celebrates her 90th birthday today - and here we look back on her visit to Wirral in December, 2011, to officially open the Floral Pavilion after its multi-million pound rebuild.
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HUNDREDS of people lined the streets to welcome the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to Wirral when the Royal couple arrived to officially open the Floral Pavilion.
Around 500 people turned out to wave their flags and cheer.
The seaside resort's flagship regeneration of the pavilion got the royal seal of approval as Her Majesty unveiled a commemorative plaque and took a tour of the theatre.
And waiting outside were crowds of well-wishers, some of whom had been there since early this morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of the monarch.
Among those lining the promenade was seven-year-old Poppi Richardson, from Greasby, whose mum Samantha saw the Queen when she was a child.
Poppi said: "I really hope she shakes my hand and says ‘hello’ to us. I can’t wait to see her, I’ve got some flowers to give to her so I hope she likes them."
Also celebrating the visit was Kay Hamilton, 73, who was excited to see the royal couple.
Kay, from Wallasey, said: “I have waited 59 years for this day and I cannot wait to see her today. It made my day when I found out she was coming to New Brighton. I have been here since before 9am this morning because I wanted to make sure I had a good view of her.”
During the visit, the Queen and Duke were treated to a special performance by the theatre’s in-house choir, the Choral Pavilion and students from St Mary’s Catholic College.
Around 90 people, including local volunteers and ex-servicemen, then joined the couple for a lunch prepared by Masterchef: The Professionals winner Claire Lara.
Claire, from Moreton, said: “People who have supported me to become the chef that I am today took holidays from work to cater for this very special event.
"As well as those who have influenced my career, the team included a number of students from Liverpool Community College who have demonstrated great potential during their training."
As the Queen left the Floral Pavilion, nine-year-old Lucy Burdett presented her with a posy of autumnal roses.
Lucy, who attends New Brighton Primary School, was chosen by headteacher Coleen Hibbard due to her hard-working and conscientious attitude to school.
Following her meeting with the head of the Royal Family, she said: “I was really surprised when I found out it was me who had been chosen – I couldn’t believe it! When I gave her the posy, she said ‘thank-you’ to me and was really nice.
“I will never forget today and will tell my children and grandchildren all about it when I’m older.”
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Britain’s longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth first visited Wirral in July 1957 taking in Wallasey as part of her tour of Cheshire.
She arrived at Wallasey Grove Road railway station on a rainy day on July 11 and was driven by Rolls Royce to the town hall.
Perhaps the Queen’s best remembered visit to the borough was when she opened the £35m Arrowe Park Hospital in 1982.
More than 3,000 people gathered outside the hospital’s main entrance on May 4 to watch as the Queen and Prince Philip toured the facility, as well as greet hundreds of excited staff.
Trust chairman Michael Carr with Beryl Dare, deputy chairwoman of the League of Friends, unveiled a plaque last year celebrating opening of the hospital
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