UNDER bright blue skies and glorious sunshine, St Michael's Mount presented a venue fit for royalty last Friday.
While the Queen was still making her way around St Ives, hundreds of people gathered at the entrance to the slipway in Marazion, where she was scheduled to board an amphicraft to take her to the iconic landmark.
Town mayor Derek Laity, who formed part of the civic welcome, said he considered himself fortunate having only been in the role since last Tuesday.
"It's an historic occasion for the town. I feel honoured to be in position to be able to meet and see her. It's the perfect weather to see the town and its surroundings in."
Arriving shortly before 1pm, the Queen and Prince Philip stepped out to a huge cheer from the crowd with schoolchildren from Marazion, St Hilary and Ludgvan welcoming her with bouquets and drawings. They then boarded the St Michael for the short journey to the Mount, which was open as normal for the event.
The Marazion Apollo Choir launched into a rendition of Dolmine Salvan fac Reginam nostram – God Save the Queen in Latin – as the party got off the boat.
She was met by members of the St Aubyn family including Lord and Lady St Levan – the Mount's historic residents.
The crowd cheered as the Queen made her permanent footprints in casts at the foot of the castle.
From there she and the Duke of Edinburgh headed to the castle for a private lunch as guests of the St Aubyn family with a number of local dignitaries.
Afterwards, she walked to one of the castle's roof terraces, with spectacular views of Mount's Bay, to meet a few of the island's resident families.
The Queen was led across the battlements by Lord St Levan, James St Aubyn to look at the view of Mount's Bay. The Duke was accompanied by Lady St Levan, Mary St Aubyn.
The royal couple were smiling and asking questions of their hosts. They then proceeded to meet the wives and children who live on the island, which has a population of 30 people.
Mel Hunt and her daughter Emma Little, who met the Queen, along with Emma's children Luke and Lily, said it had been the talk of the island for months.
"We have been working on it for weeks. It's taken a whole couple of months to get everything organised.
"We've been talking about what we are going to wear," added Mel.
"We all feel very lucky. It's fantastic to see her, and I doubt she will come here again. It's especially lovely for the children."
Jill Ladner's husband David is the head boatman and drove the Queen over in the Mount's amphicraft from Marazion. "I asked her whether she was nervous because it's very steep," she said. "But she said, 'oh no, it was fun'."
Chloe Michael, 31, met the Queen with her four children, Ethan, 8, Asher, 6, Marlie, 4 and one-year-old Nyla.
Mrs Michael's husband Daniel is a gardener on the Mount and said the monarch asked her about the job and life on the island.
"She asked if we lived on the island and if my husband worked over here and she asked 'does he abseil sometimes?' and I said 'yes he does' and she said what a different job."
Karen James, 39, was with her two children 8-year-old Layla and 19-month-old Hettie when the Queen emerged from having lunch with the St Aubyn family and other local dignitaries.
Karen's partner Adam Poole is the castle steward and the family lives in a flat in the castle.
Karen said: "We knew she was coming but did not know if we would actually get to speak to her and say hello.
"We assumed we would see her from a distance like everyone usually does so it has been lovely.
"She shook my hand and said hello, and I actually had a little chat with the Duke of Edinburgh.
"He asked where we lived and said something like, 'my goodness it is good to be at the top of the island'.
"It was absolutely wonderful. Layla, being eight, will always remember this."
It was then time for the Queen and Duke to finish their official visit to west Cornwall.
They left as they had arrived – boarding the St Michael – to the sound of cheers and clapping from wellwishers.