IT WAS a poignant moment as the Queen was presented with posies at Kent's Brompton Barracks by five youngsters who no longer have a father.

One of the fathers was killed in action and the others died from natural causes.

Handing over the posies were 11-year-old Lauren McLeish, Katy Francis, 12, Baxter Stanton, one, Holly Turner, 13, and her sister Caitlin, 10,

Her Majesty had a warm smile for the waiting crowd when she arrived for her visit to the barracks on Thursday. About 40 people, including young children, were waiting to see her.

Her Majesty, wearing a salmon pink coat and hat, arrived shortly before 11am to inspect the Royal Engineers in her capacity as their Colonel-in-Chief.

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