THE QUEEN'S close links with the Mountbatten family were highlighted when, in 1956, she spent a private weekend at their Broadlands home in the run-up to an official visit to Lee-on-the-Solent.

More than 200 Romsey residents stood in a storm to catch a glimpse of the monarch when she attended matins at Romsey Abbey on the last Sunday in July.

The Daily Echo reported: "Several people had their hats blown off as they waited.

"A policeman had his helmet blown off although it was secured by a chin strap, and a former member of the borough council had his trilby restored to him by the police after it had been retrieved from beneath the royal car."

The crowds were out in force the next day too when they lined the roads between Romsey and Lee-on-the-Solent for the monarch's journey to visit the Royal Air Station.

She presented a Queen's Colour to the Royal Naval barracks at a 45-minute ceremony "in recognition of the size and status of the Fleet Air Arm".

Sailors paraded and were inspected, after which there was a fly past of 123 naval aircraft, including helicopters, Vampires, Gannets, Wyverns, 56 Seahawks and Attackers.

The force's last surviving Swordfish stood gleaming in front of the Queen's dais throughout the ceremony.

Addressing the parade Her Majesty told how her grandfather had approved that eight King's Colours be given to the Royal Navy in 1924 - to which she was now adding two of her own.

"I do so gladly in order to recognise the part played by the Fleet Air Arm in the Royal Navy," she added.

In the afternoon The Queen went on to visit Chichester in Sussex.