Queen Elizabeth meets actors and members of the production team at the sets of the long running television series 'Coronation Street.’ File / Reuters

Gulf Today Report
 
For once this was a soap opera with a touch of royalty – and how! The longest reigning queen in the world and the longest reigning TV stars rubbed shoulders on the sets of the world’s longest running TV serial.

Queen Elizabeth paid a visit to the sets of Coronation Street on Thursday and had an informal talk with the stars of the show.

The 95-year-old queen got a grand reception. A red carpet was laid out on the cobble-stoned streets and the well-known signature tune of the TV soap was played as she walked down the carpet.

She then heard from the stars how they were coping with the curbs of the pandemic.

Barbara Knox, who has appeared as Rita Tanner on the show since the Seventies, thanked her profusely for giving them all a lift by coming to the show.

The queen in turn marvelled at how they were managing during the pandemic. William Roache, who portrayed the role of Ken Barlow since the first episode, told her she was the one who had carried on.

It was the queen’s second visit to the show, she last visited it in 1982.

Her son Prince Charles had a cameo in the 40th anniversary of the soap in 2000.

PICNIC TIME IN BUCKINGHAM: Visitors can now stroll through the gardens of Buckingham Palace, even have a picnic there.

There is a 16.50-pound ($22.70) ticket that allows tourists to enjoy their walk among the gardens all by themselves. The ticket is available till September. Visitors will also be able to see the beehives in the gardens and help themselves to some royal-themed picnic receptacles like cotton napkins.