Her Majesty was no stranger to the North East, and made multiple visits to Northumberland.

In tribute of her seven decades of service, the Courant is looking back at the monarch's trips to Tynedale.

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 UK's largest artifical lake.

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 following its seven-year construction, 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.

The Queen returned to Tynedale in 1998 when she visited Prudhoe Community High School. Afterwards, she visited Prudhoe Adult Learning (Open Door) Centre and East Centre.

In the afternoon, she toured Vindolanda Roman Fort at Bardon Mill, seeing excavations in progress and the new research facilities and open air museum.

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