Hundreds flocked to the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas to meet and greet The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. People donned their finery and braved the unsettled weather for their chance to honour the Queen and show respect as she tours the country celebrating
her Golden Jubilee.
The Arboretum was a sea of colour as Royal British Legion Standards fluttered gently in the breeze as people waited for hours in anticipation of the
Royal visit.
Dressed in a beautifully cut bright green dress and jacket, the Queen acknowledged the hundreds of people eagerly awaiting her arrival.
Despite the rain just ten minutes before, the Queen arrived to sunshine and blue skies.
Prince Philip, who arrived ten minutes before the Queen, chatted to the waiting crowds. He was greeted by Staffordshire Army Cadet Force Corps of
Drums, (Grenadier Guards), led by Detachment Commander Captain David Keates.
Once joined by the Queen, they met dignitaries, including Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant, in the official line-up.
And inside the Arboretum, the Royal couple received a rapturous round of applause from the hundreds of children from local schools, scouts, cubs and
youth organisations.
The excited youngsters waved their flags proudly and roared their approval of the Royals.
Hundreds of people were present to see the Queen meet individuals and organisations behind the creation of the arboretum.
These included the chairman of the Trustees, Lord Putnam of Queensgate, CBE.
And proud members of the Royal British Legion wore full military regalia and stood proudly to attention as the Queen chatted to many of their number.
The Arboretum is a memorial to those killed in action, members of the emergency services and individuals.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh both attended a touching, poignant service in the Millennium Chapel, followed by a blessing as veterans, Legion
members and the public listened to it being relayed outside.
The Queen looked wonderfully elegant in her spring green outfit, and the Duke cut a dashing figure.
Everyone stood with heads bowed to honour the two minutes' silence.
After the service the Queen planted a tree to commemorate the visit, before releasing doves to celebrate her fiftieth year on the throne.
Over 40,000 trees have been planted over 150 acres and the planting was the final run-up to the grand finale.
Watched by hundreds of onlookers, Queen Elizabeth released 52 doves from wicker baskets into the sky.
Two of the birds of peace were donated by the Queen's Keeper of the Doves at Sandringham. But the other 50, one for each year of her reign, had been
bred by prisoners at Long Lartin Prison as part of a rehabilitation scheme.
Following this she waved goodbye to her loyal subjects as she took to the skies in a helicopter.
The Golden Jubilee visit to the Arboretum will live long in the memories of those fortunate to be there for this very special occasion.
