The sun shone down when the Queen visited the city in May, 2006 to officially open the Oxford Castle complex.

The site features Malmaison Oxford hotel, in the converted former Oxford Prison, and other popular attractions including the Mound, Oxford Castle Unlocked and restaurants.

The Queen wearing pink arrived in glorious sunshine on May 5, to launch the £40m development off New Road.

Oxford Mail:

The 11th century site was packed for the occasion, with 500 guests waiting to greet her.

The site had undergone a radical facelift, including the £20m transformation of the former Oxford Prison into the Malmaison hotel.

Oxford Mail:

The Queen smiled and waved to the crowd as she arrived, dressed in a pink, three-quarter length coat and matching hat with black trim.

She was then taken on a tour of the complex, which includes restaurants, an art gallery, and a heritage and education centre.

Her Majesty unveiled a plaque to mark the opening - the culmination of years of work by joint developers Trevor Osborne and the county council.

Oxford Mail:

Mr Osborne said at the time: "The Queen's visit is a tremendous honour for us, and a celebration of eight years' work."

During her visit, the Queen was shown one of the Malmaison Hotel's bedrooms, which had been converted from former prison cells.

Oxford Mail:

She was shown the bedroom by Michael Jenkins, who was governor of Oxford Prison from 1973 to 1978.

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Spectators were out in force by 9am to get a glimpse of the Queen.

During her tour, she was introduced to pupils from Pegasus Primary School, Blackbird Leys, and New Marston Primary School.

She had lunch at Christ Church in St Aldate's, where she met, among others, the Dean, the Very Rev Christopher Lewis, and Dr Evan Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon.

Oxford Mail:

The cathedral bells rang out as the Queen was driven into the Christ Church quad and choirboys sang grace and a short play was performed in her honour.

Earlier, she was said to have been 'deeply moved' when she visited a garden created in memory of her late sister, Princess Margaret.

Oxford Mail:

It was the first time she had seen the special memorial at the Rothermere American Institute in South Parks Road, Oxford.

Students from nearby Mansfield College and the institute got a glimpse of the Queen by leaning out of windows and standing in stairwells.

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Other guests at the official opening of the castle included jazz singer Cleo Laine, the Duke of Marlborough and the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Hugo Brunner.

Oxford Mail:

The Queen was also given a tour of Oxford University Press's Oxford Dictionary of National Biography in St Giles.

Were you there at the official opening of Oxford Castle?

Oxford Mail:

Do you have photos of the Queen on the day you would like to share with us?

Or can you remember attending other Royal visits in Oxfordshire?

Email affrench@nqo.com with your photos and memories.