Here are the comments of some of those who were in attendance as Banbury turned red, white and blue.

John and Mary Ryman came from Cheltenham to shop in Banbury and didn't even realise the Royals were making a visit.

Mrs Ryman said: "We did not realise anything was going on.
"We're just out shopping."

Upon finding out, she said: "It's so exciting to see the Queen.
"Last time I saw her was at the Cheltenham races.
"It's lovely to be here."

Tony Hathaway, 52, from Banbury, said: "It's great to be here.
"My dad - Laurence Barry Hathaway - was in the 7th Fusiliers and played the clarinet in her coronation in 1953."

Historian Brian Little said: "I think this is a great day for the town, particularly coming hard on the heels of the closure of the aluminium works.

"The visit of the Queen brings a little bit of love back to the town.
We needed something to give us an uplift.It's a long time since Her Majesty last visited."

Jenifer Clarke, from Banbury, said: "The Queen stopped right by us. We thought she was very pretty. She had softer features than I expected."

Julia Webb, from Banbury, said: "She had a beautiful smile on her face. I was suprised at her height, I thought she would be taller. It was lovely to see such a large crowd on a very cold day."

Helen Butler said: "It was wonderful. She was well worth waiting for. She's always just right and it was nice to see the Duke of Edinburgh as well."

Gary Butchart said: "I waved at her and she waved back. I thought it was really good."

Joanna Squires said: "It was nice that all the children came out. It was lovely to see them waving their flags. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the day."

Eddie Gascoigne said: "The Duke said to us 'are you the elderly people?' When I said 'yes' he said 'I should be in there with you!' It was a lovely day and a lovely experience."

Dorothy Manning said: "I spoke to the Queen and Prince Philip. I hadn't seen them this close since I was 11-years-old. The whole thing was absolutely fantastic. I never thought I would be 16 inches from them, it was wonderful. It's such a boost for everybody in these depressing times."

Tracy King said: "She looked absolutely beautiful and she was shaking hands with everybody."

Kira Harrison said: "It was really good, we got some good pictures and we gave her some flowers."

Marjorie Harris said: "She's the best we've had in this country, a remarkable lady. I've admired her all my life."

Friends Susan Walsh and Josie Bennett, both 65, travelled from London and Stourbridge respectively to see Her Majesty. The pair are regulars at Royal visits but said Banbury was among the very best receptions they had seen.

"I have never seen crowds quite like these before," said Mrs Walsh.

"The reception she has been given is something quite astonishing, I think it is absolutely super that crowds like this have turned out for the day, they have done this town proud."

Mrs Bennett added: "It's been a brilliant day.

"We are ardent Royalists and today has been very impressive, the reception was incredible.

Jeff Hutchinson, 41, from Hook Norton and his four-year-old son William were among the crowds.

"We saw her from afar but it's great to see such big crowds in the town for what is a great day," said Mr Hutchinson.

"William wanted to see the Queen and I think she's a great ambassador for the country so we had to come down and see her."


Did you see the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh?

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