A HALSTEAD mother and daughter met the Queen whilst taking part in her 90th birthday celebrations.

As part of the monarch’s birthday celebrations, a four-day show was organised in the grounds of Windsor Castle, showcasing her love of horses and commitment to the Armed Forces.

Sally and Annie Barter, of Bentall Close, who have been re-enacting at various military shows around the country, were approached by Swingtime Sweethearts to take part in the celebrations.

They arrived on May 7 for an intense four days of rehearsals, with Sally acting as an old lady in a bombed out house and Annie, 16, as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and a civilian in the evening performance.

They performed in a show in the main arena of the event every evening from Thursday to Sunday, with a different royal attending every evening.

Sally said: “It was a surreal experience.

“There were people and performers from so many countries.

“Horses and riders practising every day and we saw musicians and famous stars doing sound checks, as well as the horse show going on during the day.

“I met the Queen in the mess tent – it was a relaxed day as she was walking around the global village which was where the performers had their meals.

“She is an amazing lady.

“I also met Kylie Minogue when she had just finished her sound check.

“We watched Gary Barlow, Shirley Bassey and Kylie doing their sound checks and they gave us a wave.

“We met so many others from the highlands to the Fijians, armed forces and jockeys and riders.

“It was an amazing eight days at Windsor Castle and one that will stay in mine and Annie’s memory for ever.

“We were given special commissioned plates and a photo from the Queen as gifts for thanks.

“Everyone worked tirelessly to put on each performance.”

The Queen’s birthday was on April 21, and several months of events have been planned to commemorate it.

The Windsor Castle event, from last Thursday to Sunday, included hundreds of horses, a dancing Shetland pony, a pantomime horse and a pantomime corgi.

Tickets went on sale in November and all 25,000 seats sold out within hours. The show was also broadcast on ITV1.