ROYALLY NICE TO MEET YOU The Queen receives bouquet of flowers from young schoolkids during high-security Maundy Thursday visit to Leicester Cathedral


ROYALLY NICE TO MEET YOU 

The Queen receives bouquet of flowers from young schoolkids during high-security Maundy Thursday visit to Leicester Cathedral


Soldiers and police officers were pictured checking drains and searching bags around the city centre
THE QUEEN was in high spirits as she met dozens of schoolchildren during a high-security Maundy Thursday visit to Leicester Cathedral.
Security was stepped up as Her Majesty took part in a walkabout amid heightened fears following the terror attack in Westminster.

Queen Elizabeth II meets local children following the Royal Maundy service at Leicester Cathedral
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Queen Elizabeth II meets local children following the Royal Maundy service at Leicester Cathedral
The Queen leaves the service – hundreds of well-wishers had lined the route from Leicester station to the cathedral
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The Queen leaves the service – hundreds of well-wishers had lined the route from Leicester station to the cathedral
The Queen is given flowers by Amber Dowman, 10, as she meets local schoolchildren
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The Queen is given flowers by Amber Dowman, 10, as she meets local schoolchildren
The Queen meets former servicemen during Maundy Thursday at Leicester Cathedral today
REUTERS
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The Queen meets former servicemen during Maundy Thursday at Leicester Cathedral today
The Queen handed two purses – one white and one red – to each person during the Maundy Thursday service
PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION
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The Queen handed two purses – one white and one red – to each person during the Maundy Thursday service
Her Majesty carrying a bouquet of flowers after the ancient service
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Her Majesty carrying a bouquet of flowers after the ancient service
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh outside Leicester Cathedral
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The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh outside Leicester Cathedral
The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh pose with Yeoman of the Guard following the Royal Maundy service at Leicester Cathedral
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The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh pose with Yeoman of the Guard following the Royal Maundy service at Leicester Cathedral

Her Majesty arrived with Prince Philip at around 11.30am, as soldiers and cops were seen checking drains and searching bags around the city centre.
Hundreds of well-wishers lined the route from Leicester station to the cathedral – where the last Plantagenet king, Richard III, is buried – in a bid to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors.
The service included Handel’s Zadok The Priest, which is used as the Champions League anthem and is familiar in the area following Leicester City’s footballing exploits.
A delivery sack was also inspected amid growing terror fears.
The Queen’s visit came just three weeks after the Westminster terror attack which left five people dead, and emergency services were on high alert following the atrocity.
She was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh for the ancient tradition of handing out Maundy Monday to 91 men and 91 woman – representing her age, which dates back to the 13th century.
The 182 recipients of the Maundy money are senior citizens and were given the gifts in recognition of the service they have given to the church and their local area.
Among them was Ted Cassidy who said: “It’s been such a wonderful occasion – she’s amazing because she smiled at every single person and then spoke to the children at the end.
“I thought ‘She’s just incredible, a wonderful woman’.”
Another recipient, Mavis Moore, 86, said: “It was an experience, I couldn’t believe it.”
“I’ve been excited and telling everyone since I found out.”
The Queen handed two purses – one white and one red – to each person during the service.
The red purse contains a £5 coin, commemorating the Centenary of the House of Windsor and a 50p coin commemorating Sir Isaac Newton.

Crowds of cheering fans lined the streets to welcome Her Majesty who arrived with Prince Philip
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Crowds of cheering fans lined the streets to welcome Her Majesty who arrived with Prince Philip
A police officer checks a man’s bag in Leicester city centre today
CATERS NEWS AGENCY
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A police officer checks a man’s bag in Leicester city centre today
Police patrols have been stepped up around the city ahead of the Queen’s visit
CATERS NEWS AGENCY
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Police patrols have been stepped up around the city ahead of the Queen’s visit
Police officers look through bags outside the cathedral as security was stepped for Her Majesty’s visit
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Police officers look through bags outside the cathedral as security was stepped for Her Majesty’s visit
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip pose with Yeoman of the Guard following the Royal Maundy service
GETTY IMAGES
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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip pose with Yeoman of the Guard following the Royal Maundy service
Royal fans gather ahead of the Queen’s visit
PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION
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Royal fans gather ahead of the Queen’s visit
Cops inspect a drain during security checks in Leicester
CATERS NEWS AGENCY
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Cops inspect a drain during security checks in Leicester
A soldier patrols the streets as security is heightened
CATERS NEWS AGENCY
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A soldier patrols the streets as security is heightened
Police inspect a Royal Mail delivery outside Leicester cathedral
CATERS NEWS AGENCY
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Police inspect a Royal Mail delivery outside Leicester cathedral

The white purse contained uniquely minted Maundy coins, equating in pence to her age.
The Royal Maundy is an ancient ceremony which originated in the commandment Christ gave after washing the feet of his disciples the day before Good Friday.
The Queen last visited the East Midlands city in March 2012 as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour, while the cathedral is the final burial place of King Richard III, whose remains were discovered in the city in September 2012.

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