Diamond Jubilee tour: Manchester and Salford get ready to welcome Queen
As the Queen begins her official UK tour marking 60 years on the throne, MM looks back at her visits to Manchester over her reign and her celebratory plans here at the end of this month.
The Queen has officially travelled more than any other sovereign in history yet Manchester must harbour something special which always brings her back here.
Before beginning her tour, the Queen said: "In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth."
Queen Elizabeth has visited Manchester a number of times over the years to unveil and open businesses and memorials and this year the city is set to embrace her more than ever.
Manchester's finest will warmly welcome the Queen to the city when she visits as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour later this month.
One thousand community heroes and volunteers will join the Queen for a garden party on Friday, March 23. The garden has been specially made to host the event and features a fitting throne made from a fallen beech tree from Wythenshawe park. It will then be dismantled and replanted at Exchange Square for the Olympics.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Harry Lyons, said: "We really wanted to ensure that during this visit the Queen would meet as many Mancunians as possible who have made a contribution to their city - and help ensure her reign has been such a success."
This community spirit between the Queen and her people was echoed in the Prime Minister's address for the Diamond Jubilee.
David Cameron said: "The Queen can extend the hand of friendship like no other."
The Queen has undoubtedly done so here in Manchester by her countless royal visits.
She opened the Greater Manchester Police communications centre in 1986 on the same day that She reopened Manchester Central.
In 1992 she officially opened the MetroLink, in 1996 she opened the iconic Bridgewater Hall and in 2000 she cut the ribbon for The Lowry in Salford Quays.
Since then, she officially opened the new Manchester University in a royal visit in 2004.
Thirty years on from the Queen's original coronation she attended another one - Coronation Street. She visited the Weatherfield-based street to inspect the new set of the Manchester soap in 1982.
The Queen has also paid visits to Bolton and Rochdale for their 150th anniversary's and Manchester Airport to commemorate it's 50th year.
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Ten years ago was significant for the Queen. Not only was it her Golden jubilee marking 50 years since becoming Queen, but she also appeared in the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth games in Manchester alongside David Beckham.
The Queen will be welcomed back to the city later this month and she seems to be looking forward to it.
She said: "I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations."
Anonymous, I'm afraid you're
Anonymous, I'm afraid you're very much in the minority. Even at the Royal Family's least popular moments, support has never dropped below approx 70%.
The Queen represents continuity in an ever changing world. She is the Head of a Nation still working tirelessly at 85 years of age. She has dedicated herself to this country for 60years. Been a focal point in good times and bad. If the UK population had half the sense of duty (her motto? "Duty first, self second.") and dedication that she displays at over 300 engagements per annum, the country would be a much finer place!
Ma'am, you deserve my 69pence per year -long may Your reign continue.
The Queen is a leech and so is her family
I can't believe that in this day and age, people are still moronic and half asleep enough to actually celebrate some old woman and her family of racists sponging BILLIONS of pound from the tax payer over a 60 year period.
Contrary to popular argument, tourism would not fall without a monarch, all tourist attractions would still be here. WAKE UP and demand a republic!!
The queen alone gets over £35,000,000 a year. Prince Charles receives over £20,000,000 a year. For what? To take holidays all year.
Our councils are having to cut budgets and take away goods and services from those most needing in our communities. It really makes me sick to my stomach that even entertain the notion of royalty.
We're told to believe that all people are born equal... but people seem to forget that when it comes to Old Lizzy and Britain's biggest family of scroungers.
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