ISLANDERS came out in their thousands to give the Queen a fine finale to her Diamond Jubilee tour in 2012.

Huge crowds flocked to Cowes in glorious sunshine to welcome the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to the Isle of Wight on July 25.

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It was estimated more than 12,000 people were on The Parade in Cowes to cheer the royal party.

The Queen was full of smiles as she chatted to the crowds and accepted the dozens of bouquets presented to her by the many children waiting to see her.

It was the final day of the Diamond Jubilee tour. The couple arrived at Trinity Landing on board the superyacht, Leander, through a parade of sail and a 21-gun salute fired from the Royal Yacht Squadron.

They were met by the Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Maj Gen Sir Martin White, along with other Island dignitaries, including Island MP Andrew Turner, Isle of Wight High Sheriff Nick Hayward and Isle of Wight Council leader Cllr David Pugh.

The Queen, who wore a peach outfit, unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit, and the crowd was able to watch on a big screen.

One of the highlights was hearing children from Cowes Primary School sing a specially composed song, written by teacher Becky Bevan.

The schoolchildren performed Mrs Bevan's song, The Nation's Crown.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh listening to Cowes Primary School performing their song. Photo: IWCP Archive.The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh listening to Cowes Primary School performing their song. Photo: IWCP Archive.

During the two-hour stay, the Queen officially opened the new Cowes RNLI station and met crew, volunteers and staff, before unveiling a plaque. The royal party then travelled to Cowes Yacht Haven on board Leander's tender.

READ MORE: Queen's visits to Isle of Wight celebrated in special book

Michelin-starred chef Robert Thompson presented the Queen with a hamper packed full of Island produce.

Timothy Harris of Isle of Wight Studio Glass also presented a beautiful glass bowl he had made to the Queen.

The royal couple spoke to representatives of the Association of Sail Training Organisations, Cowes and Ryde Sea Cadets, The Maritime Volunteer Service, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Sea Scouts, Royal Yachting Association, UKSA and Cowes Sailability Club.

  • See inside today's County Press (June 3) for your FREE eight-page jubilee supplement featuring stories and pictures from each of the Queen's five official visits to the Isle of Wight.

Want to know what's on this weekend? Click here for our jubilee events guide

DID YOU KNOW? We have also produced a 116-page commemorative magazine, The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Hampshire & the Isle of Wight celebrates 70 years, which is available in selected Island newsagents, or by clicking here to order online

HAVING A JUBILEE EVENT? We are hoping to feature as many events as possible in next week's County Press! Click here to send us details and pictures, or see countypress.co.uk/jubilee