The Queen was given a special honour when she visited the construction site of the new Crossrail service at Bond Street on Tuesday morning. Her Majesty unveiled a plaque that revealed the new route across London will be called the Elizabeth Line in her honour, and will feature a bold purple colour scheme.
The 89-year-old was perfectly colour co-ordinated for the occasion, wearing a purple coat and matching hat for a tour of the work being carried out at Bond Street station. She was joined by Transport Secretary Patrick McCloughlin and Mayor Boris Johnson, who came up with the idea to name the £15billion route after the Queen.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe new Crossrail line has been named in honour of the Queen
Boris said of the decision: "Queen Elizabeth has given extraordinary service to this country over an unprecedented period and it is entirely right that she should be honoured with a living tribute that will last for centuries."
Meanwhile Patrick McCloughlin said: "Given Her Majesty's long association with UK transport, it is very fitting that this vital link across our capital will be named the Elizabeth Line in her honour."
© Photo: PAThe 89-year-old was perfectly colour co-ordinated for the occasion
The Queen joined the Mayor and Transport Secretary to see the work being carried out on the ticket hall, platform and tunnels, and was presented with a commemorative "Elizabeth" roundel. She also met with staff working on construction at the station, where over 225,000 passengers are expected to pass through every day.
The Queen toured the site in Bond Street on Tuesday
The route will officially open as the Elizabeth Line in December 2018, when the Crossrail service starts running through central London. It is a fitting honour for the Monarch, who became the first reigning Monarch to travel on the tube when she opened the Victoria line in 1969.
The Jubilee line was officially opened by Prince Charles in 1977 and was named to mark the Queen's 25 years on the throne.
