Under blazing May sunshine, a new palm tree, propagated from a palm planted by Queen Victoria in 1851, was planted by her great great granddaughter to celebrate the fact that Osborne House has been open to the public for 100 years.
Queen Victoria's palm died last year and so it was apt that her descendant, with the help of gardener Alan Titchmarsh, should ensure that the tradition was continued in exactly the same spot.
| The Queen plants a tree at Osborne House |
A tree is planted in the grounds of Osborne House to celebrate the fact that it has been open to the public for 100 years |
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The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh had earlier enjoyed a reception to mark the completion of the restoration project and met members of English heritage and trustees in the magnificent Durbar room at Osborne House, before touring the newly restored Billiard Room, Drawing Room and Dining Room, and meeting some of the conservators and experts who had worked on the former Royal home. To mark their visit, both The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh signed the visitors' book.
It was fitting that on such a balmy spring day, lunch was held in a marquee on the lawns of Osborne House. The Queen joined sixty guests for the lunch and spoke about the strength of the heritage and commerce on the Isle of Wight.
She said that the islanders could feel proud of their diverse talents and thanked them for their loyalty and support over the years.
After lunch, The Queen planted the palm on the terrace, echoing a longstanding tradition and ensuring the continuation of the link between Osborne House and the Royal family.
Osborne House was Queen Victoria's favourite home where she spent many a summer with Prince Albert and their nine children.
After Queen Victoria's death in 1901, the Royal Family decided that they would no longer use Osborne House, and it was eventually given to the guardianship of English Heritage.
The day had begun with separate engagements for The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh around the island. Arriving by helicopter at Seaclose recreation ground, The Queen travelled to her first engagement at Beaulieu House Respite Care Home for Children with a Disability. Local school children lined the route.
The Queen was given a tour of the new facility and was shown a Multi-Sensory room, children's bedrooms and a kitchen. She also had the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine as she met children and their parents in the garden.
Her Majesty unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the building and was presented with a posy of flowers by one of the children who uses the Home for respite care.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway was The Queen's next port of call. She stepped onto a steam train at Wootton Junction and travelled ten minutes to the other end of the line at Havenstreet, accompanied by dozens of school children.
At Havenstreet, The Queen was shown the signal box and the station shop, before opening the new Carriage and Wagon Restoration Workshop.
Meanwhile, The Duke of Edinburgh visited the new Regatta House of the Cowes Combined Clubs and afterwards GKN Aerospace in East Cowes. The Duke met members of the workforce and saw examples of the work carried out on civil and military aircraft.
In the afternoon, the Royal party departed for St Thomas's Square in Newport. They were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers as they arrived to visit the Farmer's Market.
The Queen and the Duke chatted to the stall-holders and wandered through the stalls in the tented market selling garden vegetables, cakes and hand-crafted objects.
Before departing Newport and the Isle of Wight, The Queen unveiled a piece of commemorative art-work to mark the 6th 'Isle of Wight Walking Festival'.
The palm tree planted by Queen Victoria grew on the Isle of Wight for over 150 years, symbolising the close relationship between the island and the monarchy.
As the Royal helicopter left for the mainland, the new palm was beginning to grow and will hopefully go from strength to strength as that association continues to prosper and flourish.
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