HUNDREDS packed into St Helen’s Square to see the Royal party arrive for the civic lunch.

The excited crowd held flags and even a life-sized cardboard cut-out of the Queen aloft as they waited to see Her Majesty.

Inside the Mansion House, guests included recipients of The Press’ 2011 Community Pride awards as well as the Lord Mayor of York, Coun David Horton, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, the Dean of York, the Very Rev Keith Jones, the leaders of York’s political parties, the chief executive of City of York Council, Kersten England, and the deputy chief executive of the council, Bill Woolley.

Paisley Laws, 18, winner of the Spirit Of Youth Community Pride award, was seated next to Princess Beatrice for the event.

She said: “It was a brilliant meal. She talked to me about skiing and family. She told me she had given up chocolate for Lent and asked me about college. She was really nice.

“I will remember it forever. It was an overwhelming experience. I had to remind myself it was real.”

John Nicholson, the Public Sector Hero, said: “It was a very surreal experience. I was sitting with my back to the Queen but everytime I turned my head I saw her. It was a nice meal and a great service.”

Doreen Foster, who was named Health Service Hero, said: “It was fantastic, really wonderful. Everybody was soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying themselves. It was unbelievable.”

Guests were served a menu of aromatic duck salad, chicken pimento roulade and coffee, chocolates and wines.

At the meal, the Queen presented Coun Horton with a new cap of maintenance – an historically significant gesture which dates back to 1393 when Richard II presented a cap to Robert Savage, the Lord Mayor of York. The hat was consequently mentioned in the city’s records in the mid-1400s.

Outside the Mansion House, Iris Halfpenny, of Leicester, had been waiting since 9am, and said the Queen smiled at her when she wished her “Happy Easter” and gave her a card.

Twelve-year-old Charles Smith, of Ilkley, said: “It was the first time I have ever seen the Queen. It was really exciting and a brilliant day.”