TODAY (Wednesday) marks the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Borders Railway.

Large crowds gathered on this day in 2015 to welcome the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to the region.

We have picked out some of our favourite photos from when royalty visited Tweedbank station (see gallery above).

The occasion had a special significance for the Queen, who that day also celebrated becoming Britain's longest-serving monarch.

She said: "The Duke of Edinburgh and I are delighted to be back in the Borders today and, especially, to have arrived by train!

"It has been wonderful to witness the excitement which the return of the railway has brought here.

"The Borders Railway brings so much promise for sharing and invigorating this most beautiful countryside as a place to work, live and enjoy.

"Prince Philip and I are very grateful for the warmth of your welcome on this occasion.

"Many including you, First Minister [Nicola Sturgeon], have also kindly noted another significance attaching to today, although it is not one to which I have ever aspired.

"Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception. But I thank you all, and the many others at home and overseas, for your touching messages of great kindness."

The Queen said she was "very happy" to officially open the railway.

The original Waverley Line closed in 1969.