Some date as far back as 1956, with photos from her visits to Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare
Since news broke of the death of the Queen, people up and down the country – and across the world – have been sharing memories of the late monarch. And here in the West Country, we’re no stranger to visits from the Queen – after all, a number of royals have even made a home round this way.
Among the tributes and memories of the last week or so, Avon and Somerset Constabulary shared some beautiful photographs of some of the visits the Queen made to Bristol and other parts of the West Country. Sharing the images, some in black-and-white and some in colour dating as far back as 1956, the force wrote: “During Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year-long reign, she made many visits to the West Country. We wanted to share some of our archive photos taken during these official visits.”
Read more: Queen’s funeral to be shown at Bristol Cathedral
The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place on today, with the lying-in-state ending at 6.30am and Westminster Hall closing to the public. Then, at 10.44am, the coffin will be loaded onto the gun carriage for the short procession to Westminster Abbey, followed on foot by the King and senior members of the royal family. The funeral begins at 11am.
Were you at any of the events pictured below? You can share your memories of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the comments underneath each image.
Queen Elizabeth II at the opening of Chew Valley Lake in 1956
The Bristol Constabulary Mace escort Queen Elizabeth II outside Bristol Cathedral in 1973
Her Majesty the Queen visiting Bristol and the Council House, which she officially opened back in April 1956
Officers stood guard as crowds came out in their thousands to wish Her Majesty well during her visit to Bath in 1973
Well wishers lined the streets of Bristol’s St Augustine’s Parade during her Silver Jubilee Tour in 1977
Her Majesty meets crowds in Bristol city centre in August 1977
The late Chief Constable Kenneth Steele pictured meeting Her Majesty the Queen on the dockside adjacent to the Royal Yacht Britannia, during the official opening of the Royal Portbury Docks
Queen Elizabeth II is saluted at Filton airfield
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip arrive in Weston-super-Mare on the 1977 Silver Jubilee Tour by open carriage
Officers link hands to control the crowds who had gathered to see the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on Weston-super-Mare’s Beach Lawns
Her Majesty waved to the crowds during her visit to the West Country in 1977 for her Silver Jubilee Tour
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II arriving at the new Avon and Somerset Police Portishead HQ for its official opening in 1995
Former Chief Constable David Shattock and Her Majesty The Queen with Police Horse Windsor at the opening of Avon and Somerset Police Portishead HQ in 1995
Former Chief Constable David Shattock and Her Majesty The Queen at the opening of Avon and Somerset Police Portishead HQ in 1995
Former Chief Constable David Shattock presenting Her Majesty The Queen with a Bristol blue glass truncheon at the opening of Avon and Somerset Police Portishead HQ in 1995
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially opening the Avon and Somerset Police Headquarters in Portishead in 1995
Her Majesty the Queen was taken on a tour of the new facility, including the 999 call centre
Her Majesty waved to the gathered crowds before leaving the headquarters on 1995
Her Majesty was a picture in purple when she met former Chief Constable Colin Port in Yeovil in 2012
During the visit, Her Majesty officially named Police Horse Jubilee (pictured) during her visit. PH Jubilee has met Queen Elizabeth II twice and was a regular member of the mounted division before retiring in 2020
During her visit to Bruton, Her Majesty formally named Police Horse Windsor. PH Windsor is still a serving member of the mounted police division today
Her Majesty enjoyed meeting the mounted division during her visit in 2019