Queen delights crowds in visit to Leamington

The Monarch arrived in a burgundy Bentley to open the £30 million Warwickshire Justice Centre, the only building in the country to house crown and magistrates courts, police, probation and other criminal justice services under one roof.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were greeted by the Lord Lieutenant Martin Dunne, before going inside to meet workers including members of Leamington CID, the coroner and custody staff, probation officers and even a victim of crime, before seeing a magistrates court and opening one of the crown courtrooms.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh then delighted the thousands who had gathered outside by going ‘walkabout’.

Wearing a pink coat, with matching pink and black hat and a black handbag and gloves, the Queen spent several minutes talking to children and adults and accepted numerous bunches of flowers.

Sisters Christie, Helaina and Joely Beck of south Leamington, gave the Queen a bunch of daffodils.

Christie, 16, said: “It was really good. She asked me what school I went to. It was really exciting.”

Helaina, 15, admitted she had not expected to be as nervous as she was. She said: “I nearly fainted. I was shaking.”

The Royal party then drove on to Stratford to visit the refurbished Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

• See next Friday’s Courier for a picture special and full coverage.