Queen Elizabeth II visits 'Coronation Street': monarch steps on set of UK soap opera

The British royal visited the famous cobbled street, meeting stars of the show

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II visits the set of the long-running television series 'Coronation Street' in Manchester, England.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II meets actors during a visit to the studio of the long-running television series 'Coronation Street'.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II meets actors and members of the production team during a visit to the set of 'Coronation Street'.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II meets actors and members of the production team during a visit to the set of 'Coronation Street'.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II meets actors and members of the production team during a visit to the set of 'Coronation Street'.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II visits the Manchester set of 'Coronation Street'.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II meets actors and members of the production team during a visit to the set of 'Coronation Street'.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II visits the set of 'Coronation Street'.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II meets actors William Roache, fourth right, Barbara Knox, third right, Sue Nicholls and Helen Worth, right.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leaves after visiting the set of 'Coronation Street'.

Queen Elizabeth II visited the set of British soap opera Coronation Street in Manchester on Thursday.

Having last visited the fictional town of Weatherfield almost 40 years ago, the monarch made her return to the famous pub, the Rovers Return.

On set, she met long-time cast members William Roache (Ken Barlow), Barbara Knox (Rita Tanner), Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts) and Helen Worth (Gail Platt).

She was also greeted by ITV chairman Sir Peter Bazalgette and managing director of continuing drama, John Whiston.

The queen last visited in 1982, when she opened the new set at Granada Studios with the Duke of Edinburgh, meeting some of the cast at the time.

At the time she met actors Doris Speed (Annie Walker), Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch) and Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin).

It's been said the soap was a favourite of the Queen Mother, who died in 2002.

When Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visited the famed set in 2010, she said: "I can't believe I am here!"

Her husband, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, made a cameo in the show in 2000, marking its 40th anniversary.