Here we look at some photos from the Oxford Mail archive from 1999.

It was the year the Queen visited University College, and animal rights protesters demonstrated against Hillgrove cat farm near Witney.

During her visit, the Queen met the Chancellor of Oxford University, a bishop, dons and undergraduates.

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But no-one looked more at ease in royal company than seven-year-old Jamie Mold.

He was among the first to welcome the Queen and Prince Philip to University College to lead the college's 750th birthday celebrations.

Jamie, of Hamble Drive, Abingdon, calmly chatted to the Queen.

The pupil at Rush Common School was given the job because his parents, grandfather and great-grandfather all worked at the college.

His proud dad Steven, 37, who still works there as a carpenter and joiner, said: "I am so proud of him. He woke up early but otherwise he carried on like it was just an ordinary day.

Jamie, whose grandad was college treasurer and whose mum Sue works in the kitchens, said: "Everyone at school has been going on about it .

"But I wasn't nervous - well, maybe just a little, before I met her and handed her a posy."

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Dicky Chalmers, 20, who was reading English, was among the students in costume from the forthcoming production of Cyrano de Bergerac.

He said: "They both wanted to know what had happened to the big nose. Prince Philip joked: 'You will really have to add quite a lot to your bonce, won't you?'"

The Royal Visit began with the Queen and Prince Philip being greeted in a wind-swept Radcliffe Square by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Hugo Brunner, and Oxford's Lord Mayor, Val Smith.

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This is Oxfordshire:

The same year there were demonstrations against Hillgrove cat farm, in Minster Lovell, near Witney, which closed soon afterwards.

At the height of the campaign, hundreds of demonstrators poured into the area.

There were clashes with police, 350 people were arrested and 21 jailed.

The policing bill was about £5m.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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