The day we met the Queen

Romsey's mayor arranged for two Romsey sisters, Peggy Tizzard and Molly Irvine, who work in the town's Red Cross shop, to meet the Queen. Both were over the moon after chatting to the monarch.

Peggy said: "We had a marvellous time and we felt really honoured to meet the Queen. It was a privilege and the most exciting day of our lives. It was a day and a half.

"When we heard the Queen was coming to Romsey, we joked that we were going to meet her and then the mayor came along and asked us if we wanted to meet the Queen."

And Molly added: "The Queen said how nice we both looked and what glorious weather it was. The Queen said we were very lucky with the weather here because it had been pouring with rain in London."

Shirley Burgess and Marie Masterman were waiting outside Romsey's Abbey Hotel in Church Street to catch a glimpse of the royals when the Duke went across and spoke to them.

Shirley said the Duke asked: "Are you waiting to go inside. We jokingly replied, yes. He got his watch out, looked at it and said, Is it time?"

Looking up towards the old Swan Inn hanging bracket above Romsey Conservative Club in the Market Place, the Duke was heard to ask a lady in the crowd, "Is it still open."

Another royalist, Romsey-born and bred Margaret Bassett, 83, said: "I thought the Queen looked lovely and I could almost touch Prince Philip. It was a lovely experience and well worth it. I have often came down here to see them when Lord Mountbatten was alive."

Pat Thurlow, from Wellow, is another royal admirer. "The Queen looked lovely, as she always does. I am glad that I came to see her today. The last time that I saw the Queen was at Greenwich Heritage Year at Gloucester Circus, a lovely private garden. My dad was presented to her then.

Lorraine Smith, from Romsey's Alma Road, said she was glad she came to see the Queen. "I do like her and this is the first time I have ever seen her. There's a really good turnout here," said Lorraine who was in town with her husband, Darren, and their 12-year-old son, Marcus.

Jenny Bliss and her friend, Brenda Brown, travelled from Hedge End described themselves as royal "chasers" and they were amongst the thousands who patiently lined the streets waiting to see the Queen and Duke.

"Two of my friends knew that I was interested in the Queen and they told me about the visit. We are both veterans of royal events and love the Royal Family. It was worth waiting to see the Queen."

Romsey's Janet Cooke said the Queen's visit was a proud moment for Romsey. Her mum, 93-year-old Doris Pond, gathered in the Market Place with her to welcome them. "We are royalists," said Janet, who was wearing Union flag design earrings. Janet's sister, Susan, travelled from Woking and her brother, Alan, from Exeter, to witness the historic event.

Jackie Betteridge was also in town to see the Queen. "This is good for the town and brings out community spirit. We came to see if we could get a glimpse of the Queen," said Jackie.

North Baddesley's Nicola Meeham and her two-year-old daughter were amongst the thousands of spectators. "This was a fantastic opportunity to see the Queen. We caught a glimpse of her.

And Romsey's Caroline Marshfield and daughter, Josie, two, were full of smiles after seeing the Queen. "It was brilliant. We saw the Queen as she came up Bell Street. She looked lovely. It was nice for the kids to see her. It could be another 400 years before another monarch comes here again. It's not the first time I've seen the Queen. I have seen her before in London," said Caroline.

Alison and Neil Jones from North Baddesley will always remember the Queen's visit because her Majesty accepted some flowers handed to her by the couple's two-year-old son, Matthew, in Church Street.

"It was particularly special and a memory we will hold for him, as it was his birthday. We were lucky enough to get a good view of her twice, once in the car as she left Broadlands to travel to the Abbey and then again in Church Street, when she did her walkabout. It was a wonderful event for the entire town," said the couple.

And another delighted mum was Charlotte Booth. Her daughter, Emily drew a picture of the Queen, and handed it to the sovereign during her walkabout.

"It made Emily's day when the Queen came over, chatted to her and took her picture away with her. We reckon she'll put it on her fridge when she gets home," said a proud Charlotte.

Lord Brabourne spotted former Romsey Advertiser editor, Terry Viney, waiting in his wheelchair outside the town hall and promptly introduced him to the Duke.

"I was pointed out to the Duke by Lord Brabourne. He came over to me and said Philip, this is Terry Viney. He was the editor of the Romsey Advertiser and I know him'. The Duke said to me: Did you come on that wheelchair' and I told him my wife, Ann, brought me. He was very pleasant.

"The Queen did a terrific job. I saw her going from one person to another in the street. We shook hands with them at Lord and Lady Brabourne's wedding," said Terry.

In the Town Hall, the Royal couple were introduced to members of RomseyTown Council, plus around 80 specially invited guests representing all walks of life.