THE Queen will be the first Royal visitor to the new Ashmolean Museum in Oxford tomorrow following a £61m refurbishment.

Thousands of people have already visited the Beaumont Street attraction since it reopened last month after being shut for most of the year.

The Queen is expected to arrive for the official opening at about 11am and will tour the new galleries before unveiling a plaque.

There were 22,000 visitors in the first weekend after the museum opened on November 7, and 70,000 visitors within the first 10 days.

Dr Christopher Brown, director of the Ashmolean, said: “We are looking forward to showing Her Majesty the new galleries and introducing her to our supporters who have made this remarkable redevelopment possible, and to the staff, contractors, designers and architects who have helped to build the new museum.

“Her Majesty’s visit is a great honour for us and a historical moment for Oxford. ”

Shortly after midday, Her Majesty will visit Oxford University’s Brasenose College, which is celebrating its 500th anniversary, and she will be a guest of the college for lunch.

The Queen will then visit the college chapel before unveiling a plaque to mark her visit.

Oxford’s Lord Mayor Mary Clarkson said: “It’s a great boost for the city to have the Queen visit and it’s good news for the Ashmolean Museum, which has already welcomed thousands of visitors since it reopened last month.”

Jennifer Lewis, a spokesman for Brasenose College, said: “We are delighted to have Her Majesty join us for the Quincentenary celebrations.”