The Queen's ancestor is the pub patron

It had been unclear which actress would take the lead in showing the Queen round - Richard, who has been in the soap since the first episode in February 1985, or Windsor, whose character was until recently the landlady of the Queen Vic.

Richard, 54, who plays downtrodden Pauline Fowler, will now be introduced to the Queen first.

Then Windsor, 64, as well-known for her numerous Carry On appearances as for her EastEnders character Peggy Mitchell, will get the honour of escorting the Queen through Albert Square to the Queen Vic pub - named after Queen Elizabeth's great-great-grandmother.

Wendy Richard will escort the Duke of Edinburgh.

'Delighted'

Actress June Brown, better-known to many as chain-smoking Dot Cotton, will also be presented to the Queen.

An EastEnders spokeswoman told BBC News Online: "We're delighted that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are coming up to BBC Elstree - all the cast and crew are looking forward to meeting them."

The royal visit to the Elstree studios is part of a celebration of the broadcasting industry in Britain.

The royals will also call at BBC Television Centre, where they will watch a rehearsal of Blue Peter and meet past and present presenters of the long-running children's programme.

The Duke will also visit the BBC World Service, particularly the Persian and Pashto sections.

Their schedule will also include London's ITN Studios, CNN and Classic FM.