GALLERY: Hundreds in Middlesbrough for King and Queen visit

The king landed at Teesside Airport this afternoon and is heading to Middlesbrough to greet the crowds. The royals are visiting the region to meet local dignitaries.

Anti-monarchist protesters have also arrived on the scene with huge 'Abolish the Monarchy flags' all over Centre Square. 

Margaret from Newcastle and Ken from Seaham are one of the lot protesting against the King's visit to Middlesbrough.

Ken, said: "Everybody has the right to be head of state."

Can you spot yourselves in the crowd? Here is a picture gallery of the people there early preparing for his highness. 

Thomas Hatfield (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Lewis Langstaff-Wood, 16, and his mother Laura, 41. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)Dave Connor, 79, from Linthorpe. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) Dave said: “When I was seven, my mother bought me this book. Coming up 65, I wrote to the Queen at Buckingham Palace to see if she would sign it.

"Then three months later a letter came back from the palace that said sadly the Queen doesn’t sign autographs to people she doesn’t know.

“I sent a letter back saying thank you for returning the book. I’ve always been a royalist and so were mum and dad before me. they try to do the best for the country.”

(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)Stanley Bedingfield, 84, from Ormesby, and daughter Amanda Trewin, 32. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Amanda said: “It’s been nearly 30 years since royalty last came to Middlesbrough, so it is a special occasion to come down and see the King and Queen.

"It’s a brilliant day for Middlesbrough and the community, and for getting everybody together.

Stanley added: “It’s very good to see that all the local people have come out. I’m hoping that when he comes by he shakes his hands with me! But I doubt it.

"I’ve always been a royalist – my wife Beryl, who is no longer with us, used to love all of this. She would’ve loved this.” 

Julie Parker, 65, from Stainton, and Denise Holliday, 67, from Marton, Amnabatool, 25, from Middlesbrough (Image: The Northern Echo)

Julie said: “We’ve come to see the king and think it’s absolutely amazing that he’s come to Boro. We’ve had some bad times recently, with the riots, so it’s good to see the community coming together. 

“We went to the royal wedding and the coronation. We are real royalists!” 

Denise added: “We were there at Pallister Park to see the Queen in 1993!“

Iona Shephardson, 52 from Linthorpe, and Jacki Tyerman, 64, from Norton. (Image: Newsquest) Families starting to gather (Image: Newsquest) June Taylor and Jane Shaw claim to have been the first to arrive at Centre Square ahead of the arrival of King Charles and Queen Camilla. (Image: Newsquest) Anti-monarchist protesters on the scene. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Crowds already gathering in Boro (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Nisha Mayu, 41, from Middlesbrough. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) She said: “Tomorrow is my 15th year in this country. This country gave me life – I’m originally from Sri Lanka. I’m excited, I’m a fan of Diana and I just respect the monarchy. I’ve been here for about 30 minutes.

“My advanced level of our project back in Sri Lanka was all about Diana’s life so this is a day to remember her as well for me.”

Lottie Mai Drury 4 and Oscar drury 9 Boro (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

READ MORE OF OUR COVERAGE ON THE ROYAL VISIT:

• Royal visit LIVE: King and Queen to visit Middlesbrough today - live updates

• King's visit: Anti-monarchy protest starts in Middlesbrough

• Fences, tents, and toilets as preparations get underway for Teesside royal visit

Julie Dixon and Craig Stonehouse from Redcar (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) Costello family Amy, Ruby 5 and Joel 9 from Lazenby (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) The crowds are lining up (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)