Queen Elizabeth II, the patron of the English Table Tennis Association, was shown around the Ping! tables in Birmingham as her Diamond Jubilee tour passed in majestic sunshine.

There were blue skies and warm sunshine when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh made their first visit to Birmingham since 2002.

A 4,000-strong crowd 20-deep waved union jacks and cheered when the royal couple arrived in Victoria Square at the start of hour-and-half-long trip to the second city.

Several members of the PingBrum Team had the rare opportunity to be introduced to Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh. Naturally they asked the Duke if he would like a game and he answered: “I have played before but today sadly I don’t have time but thank you very much and good luck with your project” It was worth a try!

After the Lord Mayor had finished his ceremonial duties with the Queen he did manage to sneak a quick game of table tennis using the ETTA’s Instant Ping Pong Kits though.

The Lord Mayor Councilor John Lines can be seen here with Councilor John Cotton having a quick game in the Mayoral Parlor inside the Town Hall.