Saluting soldier accidentally hits six-year-old girl in the face after she presents Queen with flowers

The Queen continued walking as Maisie Gregory's hat was knocked off

Maisie Gregory gave the Queen flowers before a soldier accidentally knocked her hat off as he saluted the departing monarch (PA)

This six-year-old girl delighted the Queen today with a bouquet of flowers, before being hit in the face by a soldier seconds later.

Maisie Gregory had curtsied to the departing monarch, who paused to talk to her and admire her Welsh national dress.

As the Queen walked out of the room a soldier standing next to Maisie saluted and accidentally struck her head with his gloved hand.

“Ow!” she said, looking up at the soldier indignantly as her black hat felt to the ground.

If the Queen noticed, she did not show it and continued walking to a waiting car.

Ruth Mosalski, a reporter at Wales Online, caught the moment on camera as she covered the event at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

The Queen had inspected 500 soldiers after presenting new colours to The Royal Welsh regiment.

Her visit marked their formal recognition after being formed in 2006 as a merger of the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Wales.

Another child’s encounter with the Queen made headlines this week at Epsom Racecourse.

Mohammed bin Ahmed Jaber Al Harbi, a young member of the Dubai elite, was filmed approaching the monarch and performing a perfect bow while removing his top hat.

Additional reporting by PA