Queen Elizabeth stunned visitors to a popular tourist attraction by making a surprise trip there.


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The queen made a secret visit to Exbury Gardens in Hampshire to name a mini steam train in a private ceremony at the weekend. She is a friend of the Rothschild family, who own Exbury.

Exbury Gardens released a statement saying: “Exbury’s new steam locomotive received the best possible launch when a surprise visit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II saw her named and rolled out onto the tracks.

“The queen, a personal friend of the Rothschild family who own Exbury, unveiled the five tonne Mariloo in a private ceremony on Saturday afternoon just a day before its public launch.

“Her Majesty enjoyed tea and lunch with the Rothschilds and took a walk around Exbury accompanied by head gardener John Anderson who showed her the progress made by a Yew tree she planted four years ago.”