THE Queen has undertaken countless engagements over her lifetime, across the UK and the world.

Her Majesty has also been no stranger to the North East, making multiple visits to Northumberland.

In 1974, the Queen visited Hexham to mark the Abbey's 1300th anniversary. It was the first visit to the town by a reigning monarch for more than 750 years.

At the time, the Courant reported Her Majesty "chatted, smiled and waved to the crowds on her walk-about in Beaumont Street and the Market Place after the service".

On May 26 in 1982, the Queen officially opened Kielder Water.

The Queen, who was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, were greeted by The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland at the time, as well as the MP for Hexham, Geoffrey Ripon, and the Chairman of Northumberland County Council.

As well as unveiling a plaque to officially open Kielder Water, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness drove along the Leaplish Recreational Centre and viewed the activities of the Kielder Water Club.

They also visited the Hawkhirst Scouts’ Activity Centre.

Local schoolchildren were there during the visit.

Although the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh only passed through Bellingham briefly when they visited Kielder, they left a lasting mark on the village.

Members of the town hall committee were so impressed with the colour of the royal Rolls Royce, they had the wooden clock tower painted the same shade of dark purple, a hue it retained for many years before being painted the present bright green.

In 1958, the Royal yacht Britannia anchored off the north Northumberland coast and the Queen and Prince Philip visited Holy Island. It was the first time that a reigning monarch had been to the Island since Anglo Saxon days.

The Queen and Prince Philip also once visited Ponteland, officially opening the Northumbria Police HQ.

And in 2011, the royal couple went to Alnwick to open the town’s youth hostel and tour the castle and gardens.

Other visits to the North East made by the Queen include:

  • Middlesbrough Town Hall - 1956
  • Pallister Park, Middlesbrough - 1993
  • Wynyard Hall - 1995
  • Tees Dock and Transporter Bridge - 1997
  • Darlington Covered Market Hall - 2002
  • Millennium Bridge - 2002
  • Sunderland Park Lane Interchange - 2002
  • Clayport Library, Durham - 2002
  • Statue of Neptune, Durham Market Place - 2002
  • Durham Castle - 2002
  • Easington Colliery - 2002
  • Sage Music Centre in Gateshead - 2005
  • Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Museum - 2005
  • Gateshead International Stadium - 2012
  • Sunderland Corporation Quay - 2012