THERE was a festive atmosphere as thousands of people lined the streets around the Minster in bright spring sunshine to catch a glimpse of the Royal party.

Barriers and windows were draped with Union Flags as crowds of people, several deep, started gathering at 6.30am.

Among the most eye catching of the royal fans in the throng was teacher Louise Robson, 32, of South Bank, who was wearing a Union Flag hat made by Quinnell-Hill Miliners originally made for the Royal wedding last summer.

She said: “I love the Queen. I have seen her a couple of times before. I was here in 2000 when she came to York.”

Jo Jones, 39, from Huntington, was waiting with her children Sam, nine and Annie, six. She said: “We thought it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a memory for the kids and I have never seen the Queen before.”

Visitors had travelled from all over the world to come to see the royal party. Tyler Zwagerman, 27, from Chicago, was one of the first to arrive with his wife Jenny, 25. He said they had known about the Queen’s visit to the city before booking the trip: “We are mostly curious but maybe a bit jealous, because we do not have anything like this in the States. We’re really excited.”

While the last of the 1800 guests were settled in their seats in the Minster, the Dean of York Keith Jones told the congregation that York was enjoying “the best weather in the country”.

As the crowds swelled, a helicopter hovered overhead and a huge cheer greeted the Queen’s cavalcade as it arrived in Duncombe Place.

Inside the cathedral, the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice were greeted by the Queen’s Procession including the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu and the Dean of York, at the Great West Door.

Sunlight streamed through the windows as the service, which included readings and hymns, began and the Queen gradually began to hand out the traditional Maundy money to 172 invitees - 86 men and 86 women - chosen for their work for the church. The 86 male and 86 female recipients reflect the years of the Queen’s life.

Cynthia Mackay, 86, from North Ferriby in the East Riding of Yorkshire, said afterwards: “It was an absolutely fantastic service. I thought the Queen was wonderful and had so much stamina in the way she walked through the church twice. She smiled at everybody and really looked each person in the eye.”

Freda Garrett, 92, of Osmotherly, said: “The service was absolutely fantastic. The Queen was charming and smiled at everyone. It was a great privilege and honour”.

The royal party left the cathedral through the Great West Door and posed for official photographs as the bells of the Minster rang out.

Before getting into her car, the Queen, accompanied by Dr Sentamu, spoke to and gathered flowers from some of the crowd.

She spoke to a delighted Eileen Forth, 66, of Huntington, who was the first to arrive at the Minster at 6.30am with her daughter and grandchildren. She said: “I have met the Queen before because I have worked on 11 garden parties as a waitress. She shook my hand”.

Priya Raman, 38, from Strensall, said: “I wished her a happy Easter and the kids gave her flowers and cards. She thanked us. We have been waiting since seven.”

• IN total 172 people were invited to receive the specially minted coins, known as Maundy money, from the Queen at the traditional service at York Minster in April.

Each year the Queen chooses a different church and distributes the coins to deserving recipients in a tradition which dates back to the Middle Ages. Eighty-six men and 86 women, one for each year the Queen has been alive, were nominated by the church, many from within the diocese of York.

Each recipient was given a red purse containing a £5 coin commemorating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and a 50p coin. They also received a white purse holding unique Maundy money in the form of silver one, two, three and four-penny pieces, the sum of which equals the Queen’s age.