AS communities throughout the realm celebrate the Queen’s 90th ‘official’ birthday this weekend, The Forester looks back at the memorable day in 1957 when she visited the Forest of Dean on the occasion of her ‘real’ 31st birthday.

It was on Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘real’ birthday April 1957 when she and Prince Phillip toured the Forest as part of a ‘getting to know her kingdom’ tour of the region.

The Queen’s arrival was greeted by a cheering crowd of about 6,000 loyal subjects who had been picnicking in the surrounding woods for most of they day.

As is normal the Queen was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, the Duke of Beaufort.

The Speech House reception committee was headed by Viscount Bledisloe the former Governor General of of New Zealand and Senior Verderer, Verderers Sir Lance Crawley-Beovy, Major CP Ackers and Mr Cyril Hart.

The Queen also met the MP Morgan Philips Price and civic dignitaries along with a delegation of local scouts, the Matron of the Dilke Hospital Miss EA Barrett.

The Queen and Prince Philip both planted oak saplings using ceremonial silver spades.

For the fashion conscious, The Queen was wearing a mid-blue coat over a navy and white patterned dress and carried a black leather handbag.?•If you are having a party to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday please send us your pictures and a small report to [email protected] .