The Queen begins her Jubilee tour in Leicester

March 8, 2012

Cheering crowds waving union jacks have greeted the Queen in Leicester, the first stop on the monarch’s Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK

The Queen watched cultural dancers before entering De Montfort University, where she attended a fashion parade with The Duchess of Cambridge. Prince Philip viewed a project aimed at improving the local community. The royals later attended a service at Leicester Cathedral and The Queen unveiled a plaque at “Jubilee Square”.

Earlier, crowds had stood three-deep on pavements around Leicester’s train station awaiting the monarch’s arrival. There was a heavy police presence in the area, with patrol cars on the roads bordering the station and a helicopter overhead.

The royals then travelled in a motorcade to De Montfort University where they were greeted by city dignitaries and university staff before entering the Hugh Aston building to view booths highlighting local projects and charities.

The Queen and The Duchess sat side-by-side watching the fashion parade, during which six students presented The Duchess with a tailor-made design for a pair of shoes, from which she chose her favourite.

Competition winner Becka Hunt told BBC News that having her design chosen by the duchess was “incredible”. “I’m kind of in shock still – it’s just amazing,” she said. “She’s become already the biggest fashion icon you could ever see really.”