Queen gives seal of approval for Royal Windsor Walkway

Plans to create a Royal Windsor Walkway have been given the seal of approval from the Queen herself.

Yesterday marked the beginning of a one-year countdown until Her Majesty overtakes Queen Victoria as the longest serving monarch in British history, on September 11, 2015.

To mark the milestone The Outdoor Trust has been planning the 6.32km walkway in reference to the more than 63 years the Queen will have been on the throne.

Chairman Hugo Vickers and director Jim Walker were thrilled to learn the project, estimated to cost £150,000, has been given the go-ahead by the monarch, and are now hoping to crack on with fundraising and getting things underway.

Writer and broadcaster Hugo, who recently became captain of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, said: "The Queen is good on detail so it is wonderful she has taken a great interest in the project.

"We're giving something back to Windsor which is a gift to the Queen for the use of the general public and tourists, who I hope will enjoy it immensely."

The route will include 63 markers, made of gunmetal, across the town, with stops including Windsor Castle, Windsor Parish Church, The Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, Bachelors Acre, Alexandra Gardens and the Thames path.

Cheltenham resident Jim, who designed the 60km Jubilee Greenway in London, said maps and pictures of the route were sent to the Queen, who made her own suggestions for the project.

Jim said: "The key thing is that the Queen was really interested in the route.

"She's not just given us permission to use the Royal cipher, she really likes Windsor and took time to make sure some of the highlights she knew and parts of the town that are important to her are included."