CHRIS FOSKETT, 17, student from Sandhurst: ‘Who else could keep the country together the way she has? It means the world to me to be here. None of my friends would do this; I love the royals more than most people my age. I have a passion for the monarchy.’

VICKY CLEMENTS, 27, from Leicestershire: “I woke up at 6.30am to come here — much earlier than I usually do, which was very difficult, but definitely worth it. Having a Queen makes our country stand out from the crowd. I hope the monarchy will continue and think it will well into my lifetime.”

KINDA AL-HOURANI, 16, St John Ambulance cadet from Birmingham: “I’m hugely excited. I support the monarchy in terms of its heritage, culture and the tourism it attracts, but I don’t think the royals should hold too much power. It’s an important institution and makes me glad to be British.”

LUCIE HOLA, 23, from Surrey: “It’s an honour to be here and I think it might be my last chance to see the Queen, as she is 80, after all. She’s done a good job to reign for so long without causing scandal, even though the rest of her family have made up for that. She comes across as very stylish and attractive.”

MELANIE LEAN, 24, from London: “I saw the Queen as a child in 1988 in Australia so it’s good to be here today and see her again. I think people are still very enthusiastic about her; she’s a good ambassador for Britain and the monarchy does have a usefulness and purpose to it, within the UK at least.”

JENNIE HOPCROFT, 19, from Buckinghamshire: “The Queen is all right and does her duties well, but I definitely prefer Prince William, not just because he is better-looking, but I think he will be a good role model as King. My family are fairly pro-monarchy and this is a one-off chance to actually see her in person, so I feel quite lucky to be here.”

MOLLY CORNELIUS, 18, student from Wisconsin, US, living in Surrey: “The monarchy is an interesting system and I think it’s managed to keep updating itself through the years.”

ALISSON VANDERHEYDEN, 18, Molly’s friend: “It’s nice to see a woman in charge. In the US we have never had that, and I think the Queen is a great role model for people of all ages today, and conducts herself very well.”

RAPHAEL DeSOUZA, 22, student from London, works in a bookshop: “I’m here to see and support Her Majesty, even though I have to go back to London and work this afternoon. She’s the most important diplomat for Britain and the public should show their appreciation of her.”

JAMIE WILLOUGHBY, 28, from Lincolnshire, works for British Steel: “I didn’t specifically come here to see the Queen, although now I’m here I’m definitely pleased. She brings in a lot of revenue through tourism. You can see that today from the number of different languages and accents you can hear in the crowd. A lot of people up North, where I’m from, do have a lot of time for the royals.”

MARK JAGGARD, 23, from North Wales, BA cabin crew member: “I used to think the monarchy were a waste of money, but now I see that they bring in a lot of money and support them. I think the Queen herself has been protected a great deal, whereas the younger members are slightly more normal, and want to be perceived as more down to earth, particularly William and Harry.”

EMMA LARHEM, 20, make-up artist from Surrey: “Seeing the Queen makes me proud to be British. She’s never really put a foot wrong. I think after she’s gone the crown should pass to Prince William, and skip Charles. The Queen has been able to not voice her opinions during her reign and Charles should really do the same. William is more traditional and I think he will follow his grandmother’s example.”

SAM SINDEN, 22, builder from Windsor: “The Queen is a star; I think she’s quite brilliant. Look at how many people have turned up for this, just to catch a glimpse of her. She brings in money and jobs. A lot of my friends don’t care and see the monarchy as something that’s there, but doesn’t affect their daily lives.”

ANDREW HENRY, 25, from London: “I’ve come down for the day to see the Queen. She is here to stay, I think, and I don’t think the monarchy will be abolished in my lifetime. I’m originally from Australia and there she is seen in quite a good light although she’s not considered that important.”

SAM HOUSTON, 24, sales representative from Maidenhead: “I’m an ardent monarchist. It’s part of a great tradition and we have lost so many other traditions that it’s important we keep this one. Prince Charles and the others have their issues but that’s partly because there is so much intervention in their lives. I think they should have more rights to privacy. The younger royals in particular have been turned into celebrities.”

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