Children from Whitehill School put on a fine display of flag-waving

Afsi Ecuyer, Rosemary Ransome, Scilla Douglas and David Cannon

The Town Crier 'warmed up' the crowd

Afsi Ecuyer, Rosemary Ransome, Scilla Douglas and David Cannon

The Revd Michael Rodin rehearsing the choir of St Mary's Church, and the crowd, who sang Jerusalem, accompanied by Hitchin Town Band, when the Queen arrived.

Afsi Ecuyer, Rosemary Ransome, Scilla Douglas and David Cannon

Volunteers from the British Schools Museum gather - dressed in Victorian costume

Afsi Ecuyer, Rosemary Ransome, Scilla Douglas and David Cannon

The Queen arrives, escorted by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the Countess of Verulam

Afsi Ecuyer, Rosemary Ransome, Scilla Douglas and David Cannon

The Queen was welcomed to Hitchin by her cousin, Sir Simon Bowes Lyon

Afsi Ecuyer, Rosemary Ransome, Scilla Douglas and David Cannon

Yvonne Limbrick and Terry Ransome received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of all 150 volunteers at the museum, and those who have helped at the museum since it opened in 1994.

Afsi Ecuyer, Rosemary Ransome, Scilla Douglas and David Cannon

The Queen was presented with a gift of Hitchin Lavender by Theodore Dye, a direct descendant of a man who presented Hitchin Lavender to Queen Victoria

Afsi Ecuyer, Rosemary Ransome, Scilla Douglas and David Cannon

As the Queen moves on, museum volunteers gathered round to admire the Award

Afsi Ecuyer, Rosemary Ransome, Scilla Douglas and David Cannon