AS THE national period of mourning draws to a close today, residents have been looking back to when thousands came out to meet the Queen in Powys.
The Queen and Prince Philip came to visit Dolau, near Llandrindod Wells in 2002 as part of a visit to Wales to celebrate her Golden Jubilee.
A crowd of thousands came out to greet the Royal couple.
Annette Watkins remembers: “It took the form of a picnic. They arrived by Royal train. They were greeted by members of the county council and government members.
“The weather was changeable – very wet before the day so the queen arrived wearing sturdy rainboots and rainwear.
“They shook hands with people and then progressed to be welcomed by Bev Watkins and family outside Dolau house.”
The Queen was given a huge welcome by the community.
Children from more than 30 schools attended and gave a show that involved the performance of 2,000 school children singing folk songs.
They later unveiled a commemorative plaque and on a walkabout stopped to watch a whittling demonstration.
“They were entertained by groups of young people singing and dancing. The Young Farmers' Club performed on a raised platform and they presented the Queen a food hamper of Welsh produce,” said Ms Watkins.
“Lord and Lady Russell presented a display of horses and the pony club were also involved.
"It all seemed like a mini Royal Welsh Show.”
Shirley Hughes, who was the Dolau Young Farmers' Club representative got to meet the Queen.
She said: “I remember representing Dolau YFC as I was the chairman at the time with Joanna Jones who was secretary.
“We presented her with gifts to take back on the Royal train. I had a box with vegetables and when she came and looked in the box she said ‘how lovely... spuds... Did you grow them on your farm?’ And the Duke said the same, 'how lovely, spuds.’
Jo had goats cheese and strawberries, and the Duke said he didn’t like goats cheese.
“It just made us smile that they called potatoes spuds.”
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Ms Watkins remembers her meeting with the Queen very clearly: “I was attired in a red white and blue court jester kind of hat.
“The Queen admired it by describing it as ‘very patriotic’ and inquired if I had made it.
"She then said goodbye and left for south Wales by helicopter.”
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