Queen visits New Forest Show (From Daily Echo)

4:47pm

3:55pm

And with that, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have now left the New Forest Show, completing not only their visit to the south, but the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the UK.

Thanks for joining us today and feel free to comment at the foot of the article.

3:53pm

3:46pm

The Queen's final tour of the ground included meeting children and handling animals at the Longdown Activity Centre stand. She seemed to especially love the micro pigs!

Her final task was watching youngsters make Eton Mess (strawberries, pieces of meringue and cream), but after lunch with Alan Titchmarsh, she doesn't seem too hungry!

3:38pm

Latest from Tara, who is still walking with Royalty:

"Since lunch her majesty has removed her peach overcoat so we can see her beautifl silk dress in all its glory. It is mostly peach with flecks of blue and white - all made of silk.

"She is wearing a gold brooch which is shimmering in this scorching sunshine. Her hat is matching peach with delicate feather detail.

"She is teaming the outfit with pearl accessories and cream gloves. Classic and elegant!"

So now you know.

3:34pm

3:24pm

3:13pm

It's boiling hot at the showground, according to Tara, but that's not putting the crowds off - or the royal party. It's quite an incredible reaction the monarch is getting from the public.

Now, a team of blacksmiths is getting ready to put on a display for her - there are a few nervous faces!

3:03pm

Her Majesty is now at New Forest Corner, taking in photographs of ponies.

3:00pm

2:58pm

The Queen is now in the ring presenting awards, while the Duke is admiring a prize winning cow.

2:53pm

2:48pm

The Queen and Prince Phillip are in for a treat now - they have just taken thier seats in the East Ring ready for the parading of sixty New Forest ponies. Sixty!

2:46pm

Exhibitors in the Best of British exhibit are all amazed to have met the Queen. They are all saying how lovely she looked, says Tara Russell.

Mandy Flynn, from Landford, exhibiting sculptures made from thatch roof wire, said: "She was so lovely. She asked us where we got our wire from. It is very exciting."

2:39pm

2:36pm

As she was starting her walkabout again, the Queen was presented with a posy from eight-year-old George Payne.

2:24pm

Prince Phillip is described as being in 'fighting form' after his recent illness, according to the Daily Echo 's Patrick Knox, who has been speaking to a Buckingham Palace spokesman.

The Duke has been looking forward to the New Forest Show is it "right up his street".

2:20pm

The Queen has finally reappeared, to a rapturous reception from the gathered throngs. She is now heaed to the Best of British Pavillion Furzy Gardens, which won gold at the Chelsea Flower Show.

2:18pm

In case you fancy popping down to the New Forest Show, this is where to find the Showground, near Brockenhurst:

The address is: New Forest Show, The Showground, New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7QH

2:14pm

The security staff are now coming out of the restaurant where the royal party have been enjoying lunch and are starting to clear a space through the crowd, ready for the walkabout to resume.

2:10pm

Lunch is now over and the Queen and Prince Phillip are due to be resuming their walkabout in the New Forest sunshine.

1:41pm

1:29pm

1:27pm

Crowds were brought to a standstill because of four Land Rovers parked up to let the Queen out. Took almost ten minutes for the Echo's Luke Tugby to walk just 100 yards!

1:07pm

It's all gone rather quiet as the Queen makes the most of her lunch break. We'll be back with more updates as soon as the activities pick up again.

12:50pm

12:41pm

The Queen has now met local dignitaries and organisers of the show and is on her way to lunch.

Ray Morgan, president of the New Forest Show, says: "It was such a lovely experience. The amosphere here is electric. I've never met the Queen before!"

12:36pm

Of course, not everyone is quite so thrilled to be in the presence of royalty:

12:35pm

Walking with royalty, the Daily Echo 's Tara Russell is making the most of the scenario.

She says: "What a welcome! The Queen is making her way through the showground, her path lined with people waving Union Falgs and chlidren perched on the shoulders' of parents. Atmosphere here is electric."

12:31pm

12:25pm

12:23pm

12:22pm

Of course, the New Forest Show is one a few shows nationwide to have gone ahead despite the poor recent weather. Looks like the decision has paid off as the Sun beats down.

Currently the weather is:

12:19pm

12:18pm

On the far side of the showground, children are waving their flags and grinning like chesire cats now the Queen has arrived. Around 300 people have crowded around Old Time Farming, hoping to catch a glimpse a little later on.

12:16pm

Her Majesty makes her appearance, lookin simply stunning in wearing the same outsift she wore for Zara Philips' wedding.

She has a Stewart Parvin peach wool crepe and coat along with a blue and white silk dress, twinned with a beautiful Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat.

12:12pm

Propellers can be heard as the royal helicopter comes into view! Crowds going wild and staring up into the blue sky.

12:10pm

Union Flags are flapping and cameras are out as the arrival edges closer.

Security are moving into position and there are a large number of officers in dark suits - presumably sweltering in the searing heat!

12:09pm

All the chatter down at the showground is unsurprisingly about the impending arrival of royalty. Her Majesty will be given a tour of all the exhibits - but which ones will take her fancy and get the royal seal of approval?

12:07pm

Crowds have been gathering for quite sometime, with a number waiting along the path the Queen will take through the show - there are even some hwho have been waiting for best part of an hour outside the restaurant where she will be having lunch.

12:04pm

12:03pm

Good afternoon and welcome to the Daily Echo's live coverage of the Queen's visit to the New Forest show this afternoon.

Her Majesty is due to arrive at 12.15pm and will enjoy a special lunch and be given a tour of the showgrounds.