YORK gave the Queen and Prince Philip a rapturous welcome today on their first visit to the city in 12 years.
Crowds packed York Station and well-wishers lined the route for the event, which hails the role of the northern Church in the Millennium year.
The Royal Train, The Prince Henry, slowly pulled onto platform four, watched by hundreds of people who lined the footbridge and other parts of the station concourse.
Young children leant over the barriers waving Union Jacks as the train came to a halt.
Bowler-hatted attendants carried a collection of umbrellas, raincoats and even a blanket out of the train to the Royal car before the Royal party stepped into view.
The Queen was wearing a lime green coat and matching wide-brimmed hat, accompanied by a white envelope-style handbag and matching shoes and gloves.
Her hat band was trimmed to match the blouse she was wearing, and her coat was adorned with a large and ornate silver brooch.
The Duke of Edinburgh was wearing a grey suit and red spotted tie.
The Royal couple were introduced to dignitaries including Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, and his wife, Lady Crathorne; Hugh Bayley MP and his wife, Fenella; Peter Walker, Assistant Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, and Mrs Walker; and Keith Groves, Chief Inspector of British Transport Police, who were waiting for them on the platform.
Mr Bayley, who spoke to the Duke of Edinburgh, said: "He asked me what time we finished last night in the House and I told him it was quite early and I've come up on train this morning. He asked Fenella if she lived in York and whether she was one of those stressed-out political wives."
Mrs Bayley said: "I said both."
For some members of the crowd the Queen's visit was a crowning moment.
Next stop was Micklegate Bar for the city's traditional and ancient reception, which included the touching of the State Sword and an introduction to the civic party to the strains of medieval music played by York Waits.
Flanked by police outriders, the motorcade made its way along Micklegate and into Parliament Street, cheered all the way by flag-waving crowds.
By 10.55am attention focused on the Minster, where the Queen was attending a special service of welcome and was admiring restoration work before going on a walkabout in Duncombe Place accompanied by the civic party.
The Queen and Prince Philip were the first visitors to a special exhibition in the assembly rooms called Timeline, charting York's heritage and future.
After a private lunch at Treasurer's House, the royal party was having an afternoon in the park.
The Queen was meeting scores of children at City of York Council's Summer Daze programme in Museum Gardens before releasing 500 balloons to formally open the programme.
PICTURE: ROYAL WELCOME: The Queen, flanked by the Lord Mayor of York, Shan Braund, smiles to the crowd as she arrives at Micklegate Bar today Picture: Nigel Holland
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