Thousands of people waited patiently for them at Margam Park, near Port Talbot, amid the showers, as she attended a festival of Youth and Community Service.

The Queen watches a whittling demonstration

The rain stayed away long enough for the Queen's car to negotiate through hundreds of schoolchildren from the Neath and Port Talbot area who had gathered to get a glimpse of the royal party.

The third cadet battalion band of the Royal Regiment of Wales, resplendent in their scarlet uniforms, played for Her Majesty as she arrived at the park's Orangery.

Inside she met representatives of youth and community service organisations from the area.

Whilst in the Orangery, the Queen was entertained with harp music played on a triple harp by Angharad Evans, 24, from Port Talbot.

She played a traditional Welsh air and said: "It was an exciting experience.

"It was the second time that I have played for the Queen and I am glad I was able to help to set the atmosphere for her visit."

Children chant

Outside, Her Majesty was presented to 92-year-old Mrs Megan "Cap" Davies, from Crynant, who has been a girl guide captain for 60 years.

The Queen told her: "It's lovely to meet you".

The Queen unveils a commemorative plaque

The crowd of schoolchildren were excited by the visit, and chanted "We want the Queen".

Twin sisters Rhian and Sian Jones from Ysgol Cymraeg Castellnedd, both 11, said: "It was good to see the Queen - we came because our mother wanted to see her".

Steffan Morris, 11, said: "We came straight from school this afternoon to wait for the Queen and it was worth it."

"She doesn't come down here often, so it was good to see her."

Earlier in the day, the Queen enjoyed a picnic in Dolau in Powys, before opening the £27m Millennium Coastal Park in Llanelli, west Wales.

She also visited the lifeboat station at Burry Port.