York puts on grand old show for Queen

The Queen received a rapturous welcome in York as she prepared to hand out the traditional Royal Maundy money to pensioners from all over Britain to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

Thousands of well-wishers lined Queen Street and Micklegate yesterday and cheered loudly as the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice of York arrived.

Dressed in an aquamarine and grey tweed overcoat and aquamarine hat, the Queen had to touch a ceremonial sword and mace before passing through the 12th century gateway to the walled city, Micklegate Bar. The Queen was given the time-honoured monarch’s welcome to the city in a medieval atmosphere conjured up by traditional musicians and musketeers.