HUNDREDS of school children and local residents are expected to welcome the Queen to the Midlothian village of Newtongrange next week when the monarch unveils a plaque at the new Borders Railway station to commemorate its opening.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, will make the historic Borders Railway journey on the Union of South Africa steam train on Wednesday September 9.
The date will coincide with the historic moment when Queen Elizabeth II, 89, overtakes her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria to become the UK's longest reigning monarch.
Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years and 216 days.
Kenneth Lawrie, chief executive of Midlothian Council, said: “In Midlothian, we are extremely proud of our partnership role in getting this vital transport link reopened. The railway line and the four new stations will transform the Midlothian economy, bring new jobs, investment and housing.
“We are delighted and honoured that Her Majesty will be unveiling a plaque at Newtongrange Station on what will be a memorable day for Midlothian.”
The new link between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders is the first domestic railway to open in the UK for over a century and the biggest infrastructure project delivered in the UK since the completion of the Channel Tunnel.
The first passenger services will begin on Sunday, ahead of the official launch by the Queen.
The Royal party will embark at Edinburgh Waverley where 10 Midlothian pupils from Newtongrange, Stobhill, Gorebridge, St Andrew’s and King’s Park primary schools will be among a 40-strong guard of honour for Her Majesty.
Among the passengers on board the steam train will be local people who have helped build the line and golden ticket winners from Midlothian.
The train will arrive at Newtongrange Station at approximately 10:55am when The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, Keith Brown MSP, will be met by Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian, Sir Robert Clerk.
After unveiling a plaque at the new station, the royal party is due to depart at 11.15am en route for Tweedbank.
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