YORK put on its warmest possible welcome yesterday, as the Queen visited the city for the first time since 2005, joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice. It was a double celebration to mark the beginning of the Easter holidays, ahead of a summer of diamond jubilee engagements.

EVERY possible vantage point was filled as the royal limousine swept into view, on the short journey from York Station to Micklegate Bar.

Crowds of people – young, old and everywhere in between – many of whom had waited hours for a glimpse of royalty, stood several deep at crash barriers, while some well-wishers hung perilously out of windows and others clambered up hillocks to get a better view.

Thousands had lined the streets at the ancient gateway to the city, as well as at York Minster, where the Queen handed out Maundy Money to 172 men and women.

Police said an estimated 15,000 people thronged the city’s streets, at various locations, during the day.

The royal party was not due at Micklegate until shortly before 11am, but the atmosphere had started to build several hours in advance.

By the time word began to spread that the Royal train had arrived at the station, albeit slightly later than expected, the excitement of the crowd had grown to an audible hum.

It erupted into loud cheers as the royal party, led by the Queen, stepped from the car at Micklegate.

“I can’t believe how well he looks,” said one member of the crowd, in reference to Prince Philip’s recent health problems.

Wearing an Angela Kelly turquoise and white day dress with turquoise and faun flex and silk covered buttons, with matching coat and hat, the Queen touched a ceremonial sword and mace before passing through the gateway into the walled city, en route to the Minster for the traditional Royal Maundy service.

Princess Beatrice, wearing a small hat with a veil and a demure dark-coloured dress, accompanied her grandparents on their various engagements throughout the day.

The traditional picture of bunting and flags waving was repeated across the city, with the royal visit certainly bringing out the best in the Yorkshire weather, with bright sunshine and blue skies throughout – if still on the cool side.

As at Micklegate, crowds had started to grow at the Minster several hours before the royals were due to arrive.

To celebrate her 60 years as Monarch, the Queen handed out money to people from all of the UK’s 44 Christian dioceses.

Among the crowds at Micklegate was 74-year-old Hilda Hill, from York, who arrived at 6am, with two of her granddaughters, to bag a prime viewing spot “I think the Queen is marvellous,”

said Mrs Hill. “We were among the first ones here this time. When we came for the Queen’s visit in 1977, people were camped out from 2am that day.

“I don’t think it is that people are less interested in the royal family these days, I think they just like to stay in bed longer.”

While York’s residents turned out in force for the day’s festivities, royalists from across the region were also drawn in, while there was more than a smattering from other parts of the country and well-wishers from even further afield, with tourists from Scandanvia, Asia and the US enjoying the pageantry.

Outside the Minster, Eric and Shannon Pountney, aged eight and ten, from Wiltshire, had also waited a long time to see the Queen, but said their early arrival had been well worth it.

“We gave her some flowers and she said ‘thank you’,” said Shannon.

Both children were thrilled at their encounter, which came as an added bonus during a visit to grandmother Eileen Forth, from York.

Also among the Queen’s young fans was Venus Scholes, six, from York, who waved a hand-painted flag that she had spent the previous evening making.