Crowds of well-wishers gather as Queen begins Diamond Jubilee tour

Everywhere the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Kate went today in the centre of Leicester they were greeted by huge crowds of cheering, flag-waving people.

The Duchess told one woman she was missing William “terribly” during one walkabout as hundreds clamoured to shake her hand from behind the barriers.

Kate looked relaxed as she chatted with her grandmother-in-law who also appeared to be enjoying meeting the crowds.

Many of those closest to the barriers had arrived early this morning to secure the best spot.

Laura Murphy, 30, waited for seven hours before she managed to shake hands with the Duchess and ask her “how’s William?”.

The physiotherapist, who was wearing a plastic Union flag cowboy hat, said Kate replied: “He’s fine - I’m missing him terribly.”

She said the Duchess told her she was “being well looked after” in the absence of her husband, who is serving in the Falklands.

The royal party was greeted by banks of flag-waving supporters at the railway station this morning.

Their first destination was De Montfort University, where hundreds of students and other members of the public clamoured to get photographs and shake hands with the Queen and the duchess.

Crowds 20 or 30 deep lined the square outside the university’s main entrance.

Inside, the two royal women were even cheered as they walked into a fashion show, where they sat next to each other at the end of the catwalk and exchanged smiles and comments on the students’ designs.

The Duchess chose a pair of shoes from a selection created by students.

Winning designer Becka Hunt, 20, said she could not believe her shoes will now be made for Kate.

“I’m overwhelmed,” she said.

Lingerie design student Polly Shelton, 21, said: “I told Kate she looked gorgeous and she said ‘I like your lipstick’.

“I can’t believe it. She loves my lipstick. I can’t even remember what colour it is.

“She is so elegant - breathtaking.”

The Queen wore a cerise cashmere dress and coat with black trim by Angela Kelly, and a matching hat.

The Duchess was wearing a teal-coloured outfit from LK Bennett.

The “Jude” jacket costs £295 and the “Davina” dress £225.

Kate’s hat was by James Lock and she wore Episode shoes.

After leaving the university, the royal party moved on to Leicester Cathedral where they were greeted by around 5,000 people who stood nine-deep at some parts.

Erica Swift, 85, from Blaby, said: “I came because I want to see the Queen,” she said.

“Sixty years reign - she’s a gracious lady and I admire her a lot. Nobody can beat her. I wish her all the best now and for many more years.”

Around 700 people were inside for the service, which was described by cathedral staff as a Christian act of worship with multi-faith elements.

There were jokes between the three royals as they signed a commemorative certificate at St Martin’s House, next to the cathedral.

After the Queen had signed her name, “Elizabeth R”, the Duke stepped forward and just as he was about to put pen to paper - using his own pen which he removed from his pocket - his wife lightly batted his hand away to direct him to a different area of the paper.

After signing “Catherine”, Kate put the pen down and was just about to walk away when the Duke motioned to her that she had used and was just about to leave his pen.

There were peals of laughter from people gathered in the foyer as she darted forward to pick it up and, with a broad smile, handed it back to the Duke saying, “Oh sorry”.

The final part of the visit saw the biggest crowds as thousands of people blocked off the shopping streets in the centre of the city to try to get a glimpse of the two royal women.

In some places the crowds were 20 deep.

They screamed and cheered as the Queen got out of the royal car followed by the Duke and the Duchess.

They were welcomed to Leicester by City Mayor Peter Soulsby who led the crowds in a round of “three cheers for the Queen”.

The Diamond Jubilee tour will take the Queen and Duke from the Isle of Wight to Birmingham, and from Merthyr Tydfil to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The royal couple will travel around the country from March to July, by a range of means - car, royal train, aircraft and the ship Leander.

The tour will finish on July 25 in the south-east of England.