I am a familiar face at Royal events with my union jack cap

Colin Edwards, Royal watcher

Of his 6,000-strong collection, 150 photographs feature are on display - all are of the Queen in various hats and outfits taken during her tours of the UK.

"It was the Queen's Coronation nearly 50 years ago in 1953, when I was living here in Ruthin, that stimulated my lifelong interest in the royal family.

"She toured Wales and came to Denbighshire and my mum took my sister and I see to see her at the National Eisteddfod just outside Rhyl and I saw her in her car which was quite fascinating."

The 61-year-old has passed on his memories in the form of an exhibition at St Peter's Church in Ruthin.

The retired local government officer has taken photographs of all the major Royals including the late Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales.

The Queen recognises Colin

He said that following the monarch has led to a special relationship.

"She doesn't show me any favouritism, I'm treated like any other member of the public who's standing there waiting to see her with a camera but there is a rapport between us now," he said.

"I am a familiar face at Royal events with my union jack cap."

The photos are on display at St Peter's Church in Ruthin for the next three weeks and Mr Edwards hopes people will appreciate the material.

"There hasn't been a Golden Jubilee since 1887 so it's a very historic occasion and this is my way of paying tribute to the Queen by staging this exhibition."