Recent days have been among the toughest in her reign after the passing and funeral of her beloved husband Prince Philip.
Today, as she marks her 95th birthday, we send our heartfelt best wishes with a reflection on her visits to Sunderland and East Durham over the years.
She visited Sunderland and the surrounding area in 2012, 2009, 2002, 2000, 1993, 1977, 1954, and 1946.
Did you get to meet her and what do you remember of the occasion? Perhaps you can spot someone you know in one of our photos.
Browse through this photo collection as we pay tribute to the Queen.
![Her Majesty met the crowds in Mowbray Park, Sunderland, after she had officially opened the Winter Gardens in 2002. Were you there and what do you remember of the occasion?](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUzYTRiNTJhLWIwOTctNDYwZS1iN2RlLTkwZTYzMjQ0MjU4YjphODVmODg5ZS1mNWUyLTQzN2ItYWIwNS1mNzAyOWJjYmMxYjE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. A lovely moment in 2002
Her Majesty met the crowds in Mowbray Park, Sunderland, after she had officially opened the Winter Gardens in 2002. Were you there and what do you remember of the occasion? Photo: se
![Happy crowds roar their greeting as the Queen arrives at Sunderland Civic Centre in 1993.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUyNmFiMDg5LTg1MTYtNGZlNC1hY2E2LTQyZDZiZTNlODEzNzoyYTlkOTI0Yy00Njk3LTRjYWMtYTMyOS00YjM0NzIzZWNiMGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. A momentous occasion in 1993
Happy crowds roar their greeting as the Queen arrives at Sunderland Civic Centre in 1993. Photo: se
![The Queen pictured at Sunderland Royal Hospital in December 2000. Did you get to meet her?](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZkMjIwZTkxLTFjN2YtNDcxNi04ZDcxLTZkZmNjOWFhY2EyNDpkZTc2YmU2Ny0wY2E2LTRiMGYtODI5Ni1hMGJkYzEwOTExZGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. A visit to hospital
The Queen pictured at Sunderland Royal Hospital in December 2000. Did you get to meet her? Photo: se
![Were you among the crowds who met the Queen at Red House in 1993?](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmRkYzhhMzhhLTRjNDgtNDBiYi1hYWEzLTFmZTY3MDVhNDBlNzo0YjA5YjQwOC04NzRiLTRjYjQtYTI1Mi00MmY4YzhmMDM3ODI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
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Were you among the crowds who met the Queen at Red House in 1993? Photo: se