Royal fans gathered in Somerset to welcome the Queen, who visited the region to carry out equine-themed engagements.

Her Majesty arrived at Castle Cary Station by Royal Train, and was met by Annie Maw, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, and local school pupils.

She then headed to Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, where she met trainers and staff, viewed the horses on parade and heard from the University of Bath about research projects on equestrian sport spinal injuries and racehorse welfare.

Queen visits Somerset
Children from Lovington CofE Primary School eagerly awaited the royal visitor (Ben Birchall/PA)
Queen visits Somerset
Well-wishers gathered to catch a glimpse of the monarch (Ben Birchall/PA)
Queen visits Somerset
Security was tight at Castle Cary Station ahead of the visit (Ben Birchall/PA)
The Royal Train arrives
The Royal Train arrives (Ben Birchall/PA)
Queen visits Somerset
The Queen was greeted by Sam Henderson, Poppy Shaw (left, hidden) and the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw (Ben Birchall/PA)
Schoolchildren waves flags to greet the Queen
Schoolchildren wave flags to greet the Queen (Ben Birchall/PA)
The Queen was all smiles on her arrival
The Queen wore an Angela Kelly-designed lime green and ivory summer tweed dress, with coat and matching hat with ‘Diamond Star’ brooch (Ben Birchall/PA)
The Queen with trainer Paul Nicholls at the Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat
The Queen with trainer Paul Nicholls at the Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Racehorse Politologue was happy to receive a carrot from the royal visitor
Racehorse Politologue was happy to receive a carrot from the royal visitor (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Royal visit
Trainer Paul Nicholls gave the Queen a photograph of the Queen Mother presenting him with the Hennessy Gold Cup trophy in 1987 (Andrew Matthews/PA)
The Queen then visited King’s Bruton School
The Queen then visited King’s Bruton School (Ben Birchall/PA)
Queen visits Somerset
The visit marked the school’s 500th anniversary (Ben Birchall/PA)
Queen visits Somerset
The monarch also unveiled a plaque to open its new music centre, The Queen Elizabeth Music School (Ben Birchall/PA)