The Queen was met by rapturous cheers and applause as she made a very regal appearance in Liverpool on Wednesday. She waved to crowds from the balcony of Liverpool Town Hall, and looked visibly touched by the incredible sight of the thousands of fans who had come out to greet her.
The monarch, 90, and her husband Prince Philip, 95, were carrying out a day of engagements in the northern city.
At around noon they headed to the Town Hall where they had a private lunch and dined on Mawdsley beef with peppercorn and cognac sauce, served with potato dauphinoise and asparagus.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Queen and Prince Philip greeted crowds from the Town Hall balcony
Prince Philip and Her Majesty, who looked resplendent in a pink Stuart Parvin outfit, had arrived that morning, taking the royal train to Lime Street station.
The Queen was instantly greeted by scores of locals, who presented her with flowers and gifts.
Their first stop of the day was the International Festival for Business where Her Majesty formally opened the Exhibition Centre Liverpool and the Pullman Liverpool hotel.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe royals arrived at Liverpool via royal train
After lunch, the Queen and the Duke visited the new Alder Hey Children's Hospital. The monarch was given a bouquet of flowers from three-year-old Lewis Connett, who was diagnosed with Apert syndrome as a baby and has been treated in the hospital.
Little Lewis burst into tears shortly after handing the royal the flowers, much to the Queen's amusement.
© Photo: Getty ImagesLittle Lewis burst into tears after presenting the Queen with her bouquet
The Queen and Prince Philip were then given a tour of the out-patients garden, the oncology unit and the Teenage Cancer Trust Common Room, where they met staff and patients.
A royal tea party was held in Ward 3C where treats were dished up including cocktail sausages, brownies and fruit pots.
The royals also stopped by the inpatient ward and before leaving, the Queen unveiled a plaque.
