The historic Diamond Jubilee tour came to an end at this stop - clearly the Queen was saving the best until last.

Her Majesty's arrival was welcomed by thousands of people on July 25, 2012, when the New Forest and Hampshire County Show turned red, white and blue.

The royal party gave its seal of approval to exhibits in the showground on a particularly hot day.

Known for her love of the countryside and animals, the Queen did not stop smiling throughout the afternoon. And it was clear everyone – from toddlers to pensioners – adored her.

Bournemouth Echo: 25 July 2012 - The Queen pictured during her visit to the New Forest Show

The day to remember began with her arrival in style in a helicopter with the Duke of Edinburgh to a rapturous welcome.

Read more

It was the only thing people were talking about across the showground at New Park in Brockenhurst and people had begun lining her route in a bid to catch a glimpse of her as soon as they got through the show gates.

Met by the show’s president and television presenter Alan Titchmarsh and other local dignitaries, the royal couple meandered through the exhibits charming everyone they met along the way.

Their first stop was the old-time farming and blacksmiths’ area where there were 60 vintage tractors displayed to mark the Diamond Jubilee – some dated back to the start of the Queen’s reign in 1952.

Bournemouth Echo: 25 July 2012 - The Queen pictured during her visit to the New Forest Show

She marvelled at the working forge, which was manned by both working blacksmiths and members of the armed forces including representatives from 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, based at Marchwood.

Next, the Queen, dressed in the same outfit she wore for granddaughter Zara Phillips’ wedding – a peach, blue and white silk dress with a peach overcoat teamed with a matching peach hat – made her way through the dense crowds to the members’ enclosure as well-wishers cheered her along the way.

Here a string quartet played and the Queen paused for lunch with Alan Titchmarsh where they dined on pate and smoked salmon.

After lunch, the Queen was handed a posy of flowers by 13-year-old George Payne, of Christchurch. She then met representatives from Minstead-based Furzey Gardens.

The garden occupies an eight-acre site in Minstead and provides vital work experience for young people with learning difficulties.

They won gold with their enchanting entry at the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show.

Martin Lenaerts, director of The Minstead Training Project, the charity behind the gardens, said at the time: “The first thing Prince Philip said was ‘who’s in charge?’

Bournemouth Echo: 25 July 2012 - The Queen pictured during her visit to the New Forest Show - The Duke of Edinburgh taking to Alec Kinane of Legend's Rocking Horses

“Then he pointed to the picture of our gold medal award-winning garden in Chelsea and asked whether I was responsible – but I said no, it was the students and staff who did it and that we all worked together to do the show.

“I have never met a royal before but he made me feel at ease and felt like I was speaking to a friend.”

Next, the Queen enjoyed a tour around the Best of British tent, admiring local crafts and produce and meeting their designers.

Beverley Kinane, who was exhibiting wooden rocking horses with her husband Alec and son James under the name Legends Rocking Horses, said: “She asked us what sizes the horses came in and I told her all about them. It was very exciting to meet her, such a privilege.

Bournemouth Echo: 25 July 2012 - The Queen pictured during her visit to the New Forest Show - crowds

She was lovely, warm and she seemed to be having a really lovely time.”

As temperatures nudged 30C (86F) the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh took their seats in the President’s Box at the show’s ring.

A grand parade of 60 New Forest ponies to mark each year of the reign and parade of cattle, sheep, horsedrawn carriage and Ringwood Brewery heavy horses were all on show.

The royal party then entered the ring to meet the owners of the supreme beef cattle champion and the sheep champion of the day and there the Queen seemed in her element as she chatted to the exhibitors.

Diamond volunteer and long service awards were presented to people who have made a significant contribution to the New Forest.

Meanwhile the Duke of Edinburgh, who was feeling the heat, could not help but joke with the owners of the cattle champion, Vicky and Michael Miller, asking Michael whether he was wearing anything under his white coat.

Michael said: “I told him I just had shorts under and he said ‘lucky you!’ He was a really fun, lovely man.”

Bournemouth Echo: 25 July 2012 - The Queen pictured during her visit to the New Forest Show - crowd

Then the royal party was taken by car to New Forest Corner, an area of the show made up of 30 local organisations which have close ties to the Forest including photographers, pony breeders, and the New Forest Commoners.

There the Queen planted the first of 60 English oak trees.

The end of her visit involved two of her favourite things – animals and children.

She chatted to Longdown Activity Farm owner Bryan Pass while children showed her baby chicks, feeding milk to goats and a pen of micro pigs.

Mr Pass said: “She was very keen we do continue our work with animals and children together. It was an honour. I was so, so pleased she spent some time with us. She looked absolutely amazing for her age and so willing to converse with us. I know she likes animals and I know she likes children, and today I have never seen her smile so much.”

Her final stop was in the education area where she watched children make the dessert Eton Mess before she left the show for the day.

Alan Titchmarsh said: “It has been such a wonderful day and the Queen hasn’t stopped smiling.

“She is a country woman at heart, country life is what she does best and I think she has enjoyed seeing everything the show offers. Not even the heat has stopped her. She is the cool customer."