THERE is nothing like a Royal visit to get the crowds out on the streets in anticipation.

And this selection of images from our archives prove how popular such events are across Essex.

These vintage photographs include occasions when the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, made visits to the garrison in 1976 and 1979 to chat to soldiers and families.

Always a firm favourite, Princess Diana famously opened St Helena Hospice in the late 1980s but also made a memorable trip to Jaywick in 1989.

In the 1990s Princess Margaret made a return trip to Colchester to the NSPCC in 1995 having, as our exclusive photo shows been in the town in 1968.