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Diamond Jubilee tour: Queen visits Hertfordshire Diamond Jubilee tour: Queen visits Hertfordshire
(about 4 hours later)
The Queen will receive a gift that replicates one given to her ancestor more than 150 years ago during a visit to Hertfordshire. The Queen received a gift that replicated one given to Queen Victoria more than 150 years ago during a visit to Hertfordshire.
She will visit Hitchin on Thursday as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK where a presentation will include lavender oil from locally grown plants. Thousands lined Hitchin's market square to greet Her Majesty on the first stop of her tour of the county.
A similar gift was given to Queen Victoria when she stopped at Hitchin station in 1851. The Queen was presented with lavender oil from locally grown plants, similar to a gift presented to her ancestor at Hitchin station in 1851.
The monarch will then head to Stevenage followed by a visit to Hatfield House. Many of the crowd had waited since the early hours to claim a good vantage.
The Duke of Edinburgh will not accompany her, as he continues his recovery from illness. They stood six or seven deep and waved union jack flags and cheered as she passed.
The Queen will arrive at Hitchin Market Square before 11:00 BST where she will meet shopkeepers and residents and view a presentation by local schoolchildren. Around 24 schools from Hitchin and the surrounding area bussed in their pupils for the visit.
The lavender oil will be presented on a bed of flowers representing some of the businesses and organisations in the local area. Many of Hitchin's shops had shut for the day but some, such as banks, remained open, with their staff standing in the doorways and windows watching the spectacle of the royal visit.
Alec Hunter, owner of Hitchin Lavender, said: "In 1851 Queen Victoria stopped at the newly built Hitchin rail station and was presented with a similar gift, although records show that it was actually for her husband The Prince of Wales." During her time in the town, she will also present The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to the team from the town's British Schools Museum.
Tourist attraction
During Queen Victoria's reign, Hitchin was famous for growing lavender with more than 100 acres grown at its height.
The plant was reintroduced into Hitchin by the Hunter family in 2000 and the fields are now a popular tourist attraction.
"Apparently Queen Victoria only stayed for six minutes, hopefully Her Majesty will be able to enjoy Hitchin for longer this time," said Mr Hunter.
During her time in the town, she will also present The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service MBE to the volunteer team from the town's British Schools Museum.
In Stevenage, the monarch will chat to new mothers when she officially opens the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust's new £16m maternity unit at the Lister Hospital.In Stevenage, the monarch will chat to new mothers when she officially opens the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust's new £16m maternity unit at the Lister Hospital.
The Queen's official opening of the facility comes 40 years after the Queen Mother opened the hospital and the trust has confirmed that it will now be known as the Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit. The Queen's official opening of the facility comes 40 years after the Queen Mother opened the hospital and the trust has confirmed that it will be renamed as the Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit.
The final leg will take the Queen to Hatfield House, where a Jubilee tree will be planted in Hatfield Park ahead of a reception and lunch.The final leg will take the Queen to Hatfield House, where a Jubilee tree will be planted in Hatfield Park ahead of a reception and lunch.
The Queen was not accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, who is still recuperating from illness.