THE QUEEN will be coming to Dorset this summer. She will visit the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy before officially opening the revamped tank Museum at Bovington on June 11.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will also pay a visit to Goldy’s flagship farm shop in Lytchett Matravers.

A spokesman for the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy said the royal pair were expected to arrive in the morning to a reception of 100 guests.

The visit will enable the Queen and Prince Philip to find out about the Sail for £5 scheme run at the academy by SailLaser sailing school, sponsored by The Chesil Trust charity, which has enabled thousands of primary school children to experience the sport.

The Royal party will see 35 pupils from Burton Bradstock Primary School taking part in the Sail for a Fiver event.

The couple will also view all the new work at the academy that has made it the first Olympic venue ready for 2012.

The royal opening of the Tank Museum will take place in the afternoon.

Goldy’s founder Jenny Goldsack said the Queen and Duke would see how her business – which also has a shop in West Holme, near Wool – is working alongside three inventors to use a new generation of wind and solar power technology to extend the growing season.

She said: “It’s goose-bumpingly exciting, absolutely wonderful.

“I met Prince Charles while I was at university studying plant biology.

“Now I’m looking forward to meeting his mum.

“I think she’s a fabulous lady.”

Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 83rd birthday earlier this week, marked by a 41-gun salute in central London.

Despite her age, the queen shows little sign of slowing down – she carried out 417 engagements in 2008, her 56th year on the throne.

Her husband Prince Philip, meanwhile, became the longest-serving consort in British history last week, having spent 57 years and 71 days in the role.

The 87-year-old overtook the record set by Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III who died in 1818.

ROYAL VISITORS OVER 60 YEARS

QUEEN Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh have visited the borough several times in the past 60 years.

On Tuesday June 20, 1949, the then Princess Elizabeth and her husband the Duke arrived by train from Waterloo station to Weymouth station.

Thousands of people were in the crowds as they were driven through the town to Portland Dockyard on ‘a flaming June day’.

On Tuesday June 6, 1978, the Duke of Edinburgh spent the day on Portland.

In the 1980s the Queen visited the Royal Fleet Auxiliary at Portland Harbour.

More recently on Friday May 8, 1998, the Queen and the Duke visited Dorchester for the first time in 30 years.

Her Majesty officially opened the £45 million Dorset County Hospital before joining Prince Philip for a tour of her son’s dream village at Poundbury.

Almost a decade ago, on July 14 1999, the Duke returned to Portland by helicopter to commemorate the anniversary of the laying of the first stone of the Breakwaters in 1849.

In an action-packed day His Royal Highness also opened the new Britannia Passenger and Ferry Terminal at the port and the new visitor centre at Portland Bill Lighthouse.

In May 2002 street parties were held across the county to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.