The opening by Her Majesty The Queen of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre and the unveiling of a timeline wall has been hailed as 'a wonderful tribute to a remarkable Welsh town and its 200 years of history, much of it in the service of crown and country'. The sun shone and hundreds of well-wishers gave Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh a very warm Pembrokeshire welcome on their two-day tour of Wales. Nearly 60 years after her first visit as monarch, the royal couple returned to the town on Tuesday to open the new heritage centre and unveil the 200-year timeline memorial wall at the Royal Dockyard Chapel. With a fanfare from Pembroke Silver Borough Band, the Queen, unveiled the timeline wall which reflects Pembroke Dock's two centuries of history spanning very important eras, assisted by pupils of the three local schools who had worked with artist Paul Webb on its creation. The royals then enjoyed a short walkabout meeting smiling well-wishers before touring the heritage centre in the restored chapel - the only classical Georgian military chapel in Wales - and meeting representatives of the Sunderland Trust, bicentennial group and the community. The opening of the heritage centre represented the culmination of many years of dedication and hard work by many local people who have championed the heritage of Pembroke Dock. Pennar Community School choir gave a short choral performance of the hymn Glory to rapturous applause, before William McNamara, Sunderland Trust chairman, invited Her Majesty to unveil a plaque to commemorate the visit. He also presented her with a specially commissioned painting of the royal yacht Alberta, built in the town in 1863, and said to be Queen Victoria's favourite royal yacht. It was painted by maritime artist Bob Grimson, of Fishguard, who was in attendance. The royal couple signed the visitors book before bidding the town a fond farewell amidst the happy cheering crowds revelling in the great occasion. As they headed to Haverfordwest to board the royal train, the visit was hailed by Sunderland Trust project manager John Evans as a 'wonderful tribute to a remarkable Welsh town and its 200 years of history, much of it in the service of crown and country'.

See the full feature for continuation of the report and more pictures of a memorable day.