THE QUEEN and Duke of Edinburgh were thrilled with the warm welcome they received on their pre-Golden Jubilee tour of Pembroke-shire.

In messages of thanks to county council chairman Mrs Rosemary Hayes and Lord Lieutenant Sir David Mansel Lewis, the Royal couple said they were pleased to meet such a wide range of people. They also expressed their delight that Thursdays seven-venue tour had run so smoothly.

Months of preparation had gone into this single day, one of the most complicated the Dyfed-Powys Force has policed. Security arrangements were tested by the large number of venues and Chief Inspector Dean Richards, of the Pem-brokeshire division, said the day was further complicated by the couple parting company. He admitted that the visit had been manpower intensive but said the arrangements had won the approval of the Queens own security team. We understand that the Queens personal protection officers were very pleased with the smooth running of the security operations, he added. Security was tight but it was notable for being unobtrusive to the crowds of well-wishers gathered for a glimpse of the couple.

Their demanding schedule took them across the county. The Queens first engagement was at St Davids where she unveiled a plaque at the newly-restored Bell Tower and Gatehouse and toured the Cathedral. The Duke, meanwhile, spent the morning at Oakwood Leisure Park and Haverfordwest Farmers Market.

They met up at Haverfordwest for the official opening of County Hall where they enjoyed a menu of smoked salmon terrine, roasted rack of lamb with aubergines and baked pears with florentine cream to background music by harpist Claire Jones, a pupil at Preseli School, Crymych. Afternoon tours of Pembroke Dock Community School and the towns Call Centre concluded with a garden party at Pembroke Castle. The Queen and Duke left Pembrokeshire by air from Haverfordwest Airport.

The Queen, smiling radiantly, enters Pembroke Castle accompanied by Major Ivor Ramsden, manager of the Pembroke Castle Trust. PICTURE: Western Telegraph