A day to remember (with video)
A forest of Union Jack flags waved as scores of rain-soaked Royalists welcomed the Queen to Wigan - the red, white and blue added a welcome splash of colour to an otherwise grey and miserable morning.
Among the crowd, however, there was nothing but enthusiasm for Her Majesty's first visit to Wigan in 23 years.
Dressed in a pink hat and dress, and accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, the Queen smiled as she paused to wave to the expectant crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of Britain's sovereign.
It was not only Wiganers who had gathered in anticipation of the Royal visit.
Click the green play icon to watch our video of the Queen arriving at Heinz ...
Click here to view our video of reporter Natalie Walker chatting to some of the lucky people to have been invited to Heinz to see the Queen ...
Click here to listen to Chris Wilkinson talking to the people in the crowd at Wigan North Western station ...
See today's (Fri) Wigan Evening Post for full coverage of the Royal Visit and next week's Wigan Observer for a special souvenir supplement ...
Edith Pamplin, from Manchester, and Laura Skrzynski, who is originally from Washington DC but has lived in London for more than 20 years, were among a group of Royal family enthusiasts who had made the trip up to Wigan.
Edith said: "I have seen the Queen many times in many places, and it is always a joy to see her, despite the weather.
"I really do, she has served us beautifully and I give my flowers with lots of love."
Laura said: "The Queen is the jewel in the crown."
Vince Connelly, from Standish, who travelled to the station along with his wife and brother-in-law, was one of those armed with a camera in the hope of grabbing a few snaps of the Royal party.
He said: "We came to see her a long time ago, back in 1986 when she came to Wigan Pier.
"I wouldn't say we were big fans but we are definitely Royalists. We certainly don't want a President."
Friends Norma Pycroft, from Platt Bridge, and Klas Hedhammar, who is visiting the country from Sweden, were on their way to catch a train to Liverpool when they noticed the commotion.
Klas said: "I would have liked to see the Queen very much, it would have been a thrilling thing to see, something to tell my children and grandchildren."
To order any of our pictues of the Royal Visit telephone 01772 838026
Video filmed by Natalie Walker. Pictures by Nick Fairhurst, Frank Orrell, Gary Brunskill, Paul Greenwood and Chris Wilkinson.
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
