Celebrations start with visit to Royal Mail

Monasch given insight into another British institution

The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations have begun with a rousing reception at a Royal Mail delivery office.

Cheers greeted the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they arrived at the depot in Windsor – close to the monarch’s castle home.

The royal birthday is not until today but that did not stop dozens of well-wishers creating a party atmosphere by enthusiastically waving their bunting.

Windsor delivery office manager Andy Roeton said: “There’s a lot of excitement here – we’re celebrating 500 years of the postal service, it’s the eve of the Queen’s birthday and this month I celebrate 25 years with Royal Mail.”

He said of the royal visit: “I think for the staff it’s recognition of the great work they do and the majority of them live in the local area – and this is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”

The Queen turns 90 today – one of many milestones in her record-breaking reign. She is already Britain’s longest reigning monarch, but on her birthday she becomes the country’s first nonagenarian sovereign.

Her visit to the delivery office on her last day as an 89-year-old saw her commemorate the anniversary of another British institution – the postal service.

Five hundred years ago, in 1516, Henry VIII knighted Brian Tuke, the first Master of the Posts – a move that was the catalyst for the creation of the Royal Mail we know today.

“It’s the best duty in the office, if I say so. POSTWOMAN JAN WARBURTON

Jan Warburton, whose delivery round is the closest to Windsor Castle, said of her route: “It’s the best duty in the office, if I say so. It’s very, very busy, especially at the weekends and or when the kids are off – it can be chaos but I love it.”