The REAL Game of Thrones: Queen visits the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland where the hit drama is filmed on a visit to celebrate her 90th birthday 

The Queen has visited the famous stones of the Giant's Causeway as part of her 90th birthday tour of Northern Ireland's scenic north coast.

The monarch, 90, and Duke of Edinburgh, 94, braved blustery conditions to view the landmark Unesco World Heritage site in Co Antrim.

While it was a typically grey and blustery day, the Queen added a splash of summer in a green coat which she teamed, as always, with a matching hat.  

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The Queen has visited the famous stones of the Giant's Causeway as part of her 90th birthday tour of Northern Ireland's scenic north coast

It was a typically grey and blustery day, the Queen added a splash of summer in a green coat which she teamed, as always, with a matching hat

The Queen seemed to be in sunny spirits as she was shown around the famous landmark 

The world renowned visitor site is made up of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the majority hexagonal, that were created in a volcanic eruption.

While it has always been a popular tourist attraction, the Giant's Causeway and the surrounding countryside has seen a surge in popularity in recent year's thanks to Game of Thrones. 

The scenic Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland is home to several key Game of Thrones filming locations.

Ballinroy, which is located about 15 minutes from the Causeway stands in for the town of Pyke in the series, is clearly visible in the second season scenes during which Theon decides to leave his coastal hometown.

The Queen viewed the world renowned site made up of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the majority hexagonal, that were created in a volcanic eruption

Locals await the arrival of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh 

From Belfast, fans can choose from a variety of Game of Thrones-themed tours to explore the many castles and beaches in the region.

Ancient folklore has it that Irish giant Finn MacCool built the causeway by hand in an effort to traverse the North Channel to do battle with a Scottish giant.

The existence of similar stone columns on the Scottish isle of Staffa helped build the legend down the centuries.

Neville McConachie, the visitor experience supervisor at the National Trust site, explained both theories on the causeway's creation to the Royal couple.

Later today the Queen will take a steam train journey to the newly-opened Bellarena station on the historic Coleraine-to-Londonderry line

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are shown around by Neville McConachie, the visitor experience supervisor at the National Trust site

Celebrations continue: The royals are making an official visit to Northern Ireland to mark the Queen's 90th birthday

The Queen was interested to hear of the famous landmark's history and asked how it had been formed 

'She was asking about the formation of the rock and I was telling her it was either caused by nature or a giant, and I believe a giant,' he said.

Mr McConachie said he told the Queen that the Scottish giant Benandonner reputedly destroyed the construct as he fled Ireland in fear of doing battle with Finn MacCool.

'People did say that he actually moved to America, but I was asking her was he may be knocking about Balmoral,' he joked.

The visit to the north coast marks the Queen's first round of public engagements since the UK voted to leave the European Union

Onlookers braved a grey and blustery day to catch a glimpse of the monarch 

The monarch waved to well wishers who had gathered on the nearby rocks 

As on most days, tourists from around the world were at the causeway on Tuesday morning, with the Queen's visit providing an unexpected surprise.

They cheered and some sang God Save The Queen as the Royal cavalcade weaved its way down the coast road to the stones.

Englishman David Heaton said the Queen's appearance had been a great experience.

'It was very pleasant,' he said.

Actor Alfie Allan, who played Theon Greyjoy on Game of Thrones, filmed near the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland during season two

Two police boats (right) move onlookers away in orange boats ahead of a visit by the Queen

He added: 'She's a very special woman.'

The Queen also toured the visitor centre at the causeway.

She was welcomed to the centre by North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, First Minister Mrs Foster and Stormont Economy Minister Simon Hamilton.

The Royal couple met National Trust staff, rangers and volunteers who run the centre - as well as some local craftsmen - before being treated to a short animation of the famous legend of Finn McCool.

After leaving the Giant's Causeway the royals went on to the neaby village of Bushmills 

The monarch unveiled a statue of Robert Quigg, a soldier who was awarded the highest military honour for bravery, the Victoria Cross, during the Battle of the Somme in 1916

Robert Quigg's family said the Queen was very impressed by the statue 

Mayor Maura Hickey greets the Queen as she arrives at Bushmills Village 

After touring the Giant's Causeway, the royals visited the nearby village of Bushmills -  to unveil a statue to VC recipient Robert Quigg.

The soldier was awarded the highest military honour for bravery during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Despite the rain, large crowds turned out to welcome the Royal couple when they arrived at Bushmills.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during a short ceremony prior to the unveiling of the statue of Robert Quigg VC

The life-size figure stands to attention looking up the street towards the village war memorial where Sgt Quigg's fallen comrades were commemorated

The royal couple will later also attend a reception at Royal Portrush Golf Club, which will host the Open Championship in 2019

After a short ceremony, the Queen unveiled the life-size bronze sculpture.

Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh also spent a short time speaking with relatives of Robert Quigg - including great-nephew, retired schoolteacher Leonard Quigg.

Mr Quigg said: 'She thought it was a wonderful piece. She was very impressed. 

'She actually was able to say to me when she arrived that she had shaken the hand of Robert Quigg in 1953 when she visited Coleraine train station.

Despite the rain, large crowds turned out to welcome the Royal couple when they arrived at Bushmills

Members of the military watch the unveiling of a statue of Robert Quigg, VC, by the Queen

'She was very gracious. It was a tremendous occasion.'

The statue, which cost almost £60,000 - most of which was fund-raised by the local community, was created by Scottish sculptor David Annad, whose other high profile commissions include a tribute to former motorcycle ace Joey Dunlop in Ballymoney, Co Antrim and Thomas 'Todger' Jones VC in Runcorn, Cheshire.

The life-size figure stands rigidly to attention looking up the street towards the village war memorial where Sgt Quigg's fallen comrades were commemorated, on a plinth of seven hexagonal stones, representing each of the seven wounded soldiers he rescued from no man's land during the Battle of the Somme.

The modest soldier at the centre of Royal commemorations in Co Antrim would have been embarrassed by all the attention, according to his great nephew.

The Queen meets Ian Paisley MP during her time at the Giant's Causeway visitors centre

Prince Philip signs the visitors book at the Giant's Causeway visitors centre in County Antrim 

The Queen adds her signature to the visitors book 

The Duke of Edinburgh signed his name rather modestly as 'Philip' with no royal title

Sergeant Robert Quigg may have risked his life seven times to rescue wounded comrades from the bloody battlefields at the Somme but he could not muster the strength to speak during a village reception after he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Retired schoolteacher Leonard Quigg, who spent years researching his great uncle for a new book, said: 'When he came back after receiving his medal in January 1917 he got a fortnight's leave and there were celebrations around Bushmills.

'There was a huge celebration in the Hamill Hall in Bushmills and he was the centre of attention but at the end he wouldn't speak. He was too shy and his father had to speak for him.

Royal fans snapped photos of the Queen on their phones as she was greeted by the Mayor of Bushmills 

The royal was in great spirits as she greeted locals in Busmills

The Duke of Edinburgh, 95, looked full of energy during the official visit 

'So, that tells you the sort of man he was.'

The labourer from Bushmills was 29 when he signed up to fight in the First World War and was 31 when his heroics on the first day at the Battle of the Somme earned him the highest honour for gallantry.

The medal was presented by King George V in January 1917.

In 1953, he was introduced to the new Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh when the Royal couple visited Coleraine in Co Londonderry as part of the Coronation tour.

Crowds wait for the arrival of the royals, ready to wave their Union Jack flags 

The Royal Guard attends the arrival of the royals

And, more than 60 years later, hundreds of people lined the streets as the Queen unveiled a life-size sculpture in his home village while the band of the Irish Guards played laments.

Mr Quigg said his great uncle would have been quietly pleased but may have found the pomp and ceremony of the occasion somewhat overwhelming.

'Underneath he would have been very proud but openly he would have been very embarrassed by it all,' he added.

'He would have been mortified because he was so shy and unassuming.'

The Queen toured the site and met employees and volunteers at the visitors centre

The Queen and Prince Philip got a history lesson on their tour of the Giant's Causeway visitors centre

Sgt Quigg served with the Royal Irish Rifles until 1922 and then the Royal Ulster Rifles until 1926. He was discharged from the army after a serious accident in 1926 but worked as a civilian in the Rifles' depot for about nine years before returning to his native Causeway Coast to live out his final years.

The Quigg family and local history enthusiasts have long been campaigning for formal recognition and in just four years raised more than £60,000 to erect the bronze statue.

It sits on the edge of the country estate where he had worked before the war and looks towards the village war memorial.

The Queen walks with secretary of state for Northern ireland Theresa Villier to open to new Bellarena Station village

The royals prepared to take a train journey the Queen first experienced a month after her coronation 

The Queen and the Duke also took a steam train journey to the newly-opened Bellarena station on the historic Coleraine-to-Londonderry line

The Queen arrives on a steam train to open the new Bellarena Station village after travelling from Coleraine Railway Station on June 28 in Bellarena, Northern Ireland

The Queen smiles as she chats to the crew of the steam locomotive No.85 Merlin after she opens a new railway station at Bellarena, County Derry

Mr Quigg said: 'Robert Quigg VC was one of the great characters of Bushmills. He was awarded his VC for rescuing seven soldiers on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

'He crawled out into no man's land seven times and each time brought back a wounded soldier.

'We have been raising funds for a statue in his memory and today it has come to fruition.

'It has been an absolutely wonderful occasion. A great spectacle.'

The Queen was presented with a bouquet of flowers 

The Queen arrives to open the new Bellarena Station village

In a full day of engagements, the Queen and the Duke also took a steam train journey to the newly-opened Bellarena station on the historic Coleraine-to-Londonderry line.

The Queen travelled the same section of track in 1953, a month after her coronation.

Later, the royal couple will also attend a reception at Royal Portrush Golf Club, which will host the Open Championship in 2019.

They royals landed in Northern Ireland on Monday evening for a two-day trip. Shortly after her arrival at Hillsborough Castle, the Queen met Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness separately.

On exchanges picked up on camera, the Queen joked with Mr McGuinness that she was 'still alive' and said she had been busy celebrating 'two birthdays'.

The visit to the north coast marks the Queen's first round of public engagements since the UK voted to leave the European Union.

Afterwards, the political leaders remained tight-lipped on whether the Brexit furore was discussed in their private meetings. 

It's the third high-profile royal visit to Northern Ireland in a matter of weeks, after appearances by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.