As the country shares its fond memories of Queen Elizabeth II, the Reading Chronicle remembers when the late monarch opened its new headquarters in the town.

The Queen, whose funeral will take place on Monday, was invited to print a special issue of the newspaper in her honour in Portman Road, 1986… but not everything went to plan.

When she pressed the button to speed up the press, the paper broke and the machine stopped.

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The Queen, who had already been given a copy, joked: “I’m alright – I’ve got mine.”

Reading Chronicle: The Queen watches the controls as she speeds up the press under the supervision of press room manager, Ron StroomerThe Queen watches the controls as she speeds up the press under the supervision of press room manager, Ron Stroomer (Image: Newsquest)

Kimble Earl, Managing Director of the Reading Newspaper Company, said at the time: “The Queen took it in very good heart and the incident provided a good laugh all round.”

The Queen’s motorcade arrived at 10.20am on May 19, when she was greeted by a crowd lining the verges.

Reading Chronicle: Crowds gather to meet the Queen on Portman RoadCrowds gather to meet the Queen on Portman Road (Image: Newsquest)

She was welcomed by then-MP Tony Durant and the Lord Lieutenant Col Gordon Palmer, before Bethany Archer of the Flower Boutique presented Her Majesty with a posy.

Following a chat with a group of visitors from the James Butcher Housing Association in Bath Road, the Queen joined company chairman Norman Richards inside the building to unveil a commemorative plaque.

Reading Chronicle: Laughs all round as the Queen points to the broken paperLaughs all round as the Queen points to the broken paper (Image: Newsquest)

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The Queen toured the newspaper centre, seeing the accounts, advertising, editorial and typesetting departments.

Using a gold fountain pen produce by Gilette of Basingstoke Road, the Queen signed the Visitor’s Book.

Reading Chronicle: Signing the visitor's book with company chairman Norman RichardSigning the visitor's book with company chairman Norman Richard (Image: Newsquest)

She left the building at around 11am, where children slipped under the barriers and ran to present her with flowers.

Mr Earl said: “We were all very pleased with the way the Queen took such a friendly and personal interest in the firm.

Reading Chronicle: The Queen receives a souvenir edition from Eric MayersThe Queen receives a souvenir edition from Eric Mayers (Image: Newsquest)

“She spoke to a good number of the staff – and seemed surprised to hear about the growth of free newspapers and the size of the operation in general.”

At the end of her visit, the Queen was presented with a facsimile of her birth announcement in the Windsor Express, 1926, set in oak and metal.

Reading Chronicle: Advertising manager, Jeff Rice, shows the Queen a selection of newspapersAdvertising manager, Jeff Rice, shows the Queen a selection of newspapers (Image: Newsquest)

Reading Newspaper Company staff received an engraved brass paperweight as their moment of the special day.

Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall until 6.30am on Monday September 19, the day of her funeral.

Reading Chronicle: Learning about accounts - with John Cattell and Michelle Clarke at her keyboardLearning about accounts - with John Cattell and Michelle Clarke at her keyboard (Image: Newsquest)

Reading Chronicle: The Queen hears about editorial from Joe Wise, left, and David BowyerThe Queen hears about editorial from Joe Wise, left, and David Bowyer (Image: Newsquest)

Reading Chronicle: In production with Lord Lieutenant, Bob Chambers, Alan Nicker and Andy CrewIn production with Lord Lieutenant, Bob Chambers, Alan Nicker and Andy Crew (Image: Newsquest)

Reading Chronicle: The queen is handed a bunch of flowers by a childThe queen is handed a bunch of flowers by a child (Image: Newsquest)

Reading Chronicle: People line the streets awaiting the QueenPeople line the streets awaiting the Queen (Image: Newsquest)

Reading Chronicle: A very special edition of the Reading Chronicle, published on May 23, 1986A very special edition of the Reading Chronicle, published on May 23, 1986 (Image: Newsquest)