Royal Marines help children serenade The Queen

More than 200 children were surprised by the Royal Marines band when they visited Solent Infant School in Portsmouth today to help celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday.

The band visited the Farlington school during this morning’s assembly.

They played a song to welcome the day’s special visitor – ‘The Queen’ (actually, a teacher in disguise!)

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The pupils then gathered on the playground of the school to have a special photo to mark the monarch’s 90th birthday celebrations today.

WO2 Band Master Tim Carter said: ‘It was a fantastic experience. It was wonderful to be involved in the surprise for the children although it was a little nerve wracking.

‘We were worried about how loud it would be and whether there would be any tears.

‘But it was just a joyous occasion and the children really loved it.’

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George Tickner, six, was delighted by the school’s special visitors.

He said: ‘I have no idea the Marines were coming. They were so loud. But I loved it.’

Friend Ollie Staves added: ‘It was a big surprise.’

Head teacher Lucy Wilby said the school prided itself on its close links to the military.

She explained dozens of pupils were from military families.

‘We’re the only school in Portsmouth to have the Royal Marines Band visiting us today which is wonderful,’ she said.

‘The planning for this started just after Christmas.

‘We knew we wanted to celebrate the Queen’s birthday and wanted to do a street party.

‘But it’s really just snowballed from there.’

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