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Friday, 14th November 2003
The Queen visits Derbyshire
The Queen arrives at Derby cathedral
The Queen outside Derby Cathedral
tiny The Queen has made history by becoming the first reigning monarch to visit Derby Cathedral. Chesterfield has also had a royal visit today.

Take a look at our photo galleries of the day's events.
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Hundreds of people in Derbyshire braved chilling winds to greet The Queen as she visited Derby and Chesterfield today.

The Queen made history by becoming the first reigning monarch to visit the city's cathedral
before officially opening the new Cathedral Centre, taking time to view the new Education Room, Library and Chapter Room.

Unusually, The Queen made a short speech before declaring the centre open - but Derby crowds are getting used to hearing the Queen speak as she also made a speech at her Golden Jubilee Pageant at Pride Park last year.

The new £1.25 million Derby Cathedral Centre is located in the former Clulows bookshop, a Grade II listed building at the junction of St Mary’s Gate opposite the Cathedral.

OUR GALLERIES
The Queen in Derby   Blue arrow The Queen in Derby Photographs by BBC Derby's Dave King and BBC East Midlands Today's Neil Evans
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People greet the Queen Blue arrow Derby greets The Queen Photographs by BBC Derby's Gavin Bevis
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Crowds wait for the Queen Blue arrow Crowds await a royal visit Photographs by BBC Derby's Dave King
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Cheering The Queen in Chesterfield Blue arrow The Queen in Chesterfield Photographs by Lucy Ray and Marisa Cashill of the Derbyshire Times

The Centre includes a coffee shop and gift shop, an education centre, a library, exhibition and meeting rooms, a treasury displaying the Cathedral’s historic objects, a sensory garden, listening rooms and the Cathedral offices.

Derby Cathedral Centre
The newly opened Cathedral Centre
The Cathedral was decorated with yellow lilies, lime green shamrock, chrysanthemums and blue delphiniums to match the stained glass window.

Prior to her arrival, Michael Perham, Dean of Derby said: "The visit of Her Majesty, The Queen, will be the first visit by a reigning sovereign to the Cathedral and is therefore an exciting moment in our thousand-year history.

"The fact that the Queen will be opening the completed Cathedral Centre will add even more significance to the day and we shall be proud to show Her Majesty what we believe to be a fine new resource for the Cathedral and the City."

At the same time, The Duke of Edinburgh toured Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Ashbourne taking in the new upper school, meeting staff and pupils before unveiling a plaque to mark his visit.

blue arrowFamous Prince Philip Gaffes

In the afternoon, Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh moved on to visit the weekly market in Chesterfield town centre - arriving at about 3pm - before opening the new Magistrates' Courts Complex.
Your comments on this story

E should be renamed Derby/Leicester Airport
Norman Lamont Uttoxeter,Staffs

when i went to see the queen i thoght it was great and she is pretty for her age and i would love it if she donated her glasses to my mother who loves her!!!!!
ami lockwood chesterfield

i think tht the queen should come to my house and meet my parents who love her to bits and sre big fans
carl smith rotherham

I had a wonderful day when the Queen came to Chesterfield. Everyone was waiting patiently in the rain for the Queen to arrive, and when she did the crowd cheered enthusiastically! A gr8 day!
Ashley Pishdar, Chesterfield

The last time I saw Queen was at Live aid in 1985. Back then they really rocked, but I dont think they've been the same since Freddie died.
rob sheffield

The first time Queen Elizabeth II came to Chesterfield i was sick in hospital, and only one years old. On that visit the queen came to my ward to meet me and my parents, unfortunately i slept through the whole event. This time i was away at university and couldn't be bothered to turn up. I think that Chesterfield would benefit far more from government cash to regenerate the local economy than it would form royal visits. Unless that is, the Queen decides to sign for the Spireites and makes the next home game against Oldham.
Matthew Harding

very nice day lovely to see the oueen here in derby again she looked happy.
mary littleover

I'm at uni. at the moment, but I envy all you Derby folk who were there to see the queen!
Tair Ali Cambridge

We had a great excitement in the morning to see the Queen and We proudly managed to see her very closely. It was a great moment for both of us.But we were bit disappointed as well as we forgot to bring the camera and BBC cameraman did not bother to take our picture.
Rajji & Sonu - Uttoxeter New Road, Derby

I am totally Deaf and half blind (Usher Syndrome) young man. After searched for a place and a time on Internet last night. I arrived in Derby by the train, I was in a very good view of the Queen in the Bentley car. Once she in the Cathedral, I suddenly left for catch the train back to Chesterfield. Had some unwind in the cafe before grab very best view at corner of Market Place near two banks, 1 hour before they arrived. It was very strong windy and awful wet, but I stand very firm and want to see them in my town centre for first time. Duke of Edinburgh was just two feet away from me while he spoken to one lady, who stand next to me, it was great experience. And again, had best view of the Queen walked passed me. I had wonderful day despite the weather and time of travelling. I kept smile all evening!
James Clarke from Chesterfield

I was lucky enough to attend the service at the Cathedral and I would like to thank all involved for a wonderful expirence,especially the choir who were superb!Derby can be proud of it's Royal day!
Martin Mould from Draycott

Excellent photos. The queen was charming as always. She is far more popular than some people like to admit. Thanks to every one who took the trouble to turn out.
l.Millband Derby

It was cold but worth the wait. The Queen looked happy and content to be in the city again and she walked right next to me. I've never seen her so close. Thanks for the fabulous pictures to remember the day by
Michael Clarke, Littleover

we had a fabulous time waiting to see the queen there was a lovely atmosphere in the crowd and my daughter was lifted over the barriers by a very nice security man to present flowers to the queen. A memorable day which was made even more enjoyable by seeing the pictures on the web site when we got home.
Dawn, Aston on trent

we had a very nice time in derby, and seen the QUEEN
anthony.stubbins

Despite the blustery weather hundreds of people greeted her majesty with a warm welcome. I have never seen the Queen before so it was nice to have seen her in Derby. She seemed to really enjoy here visit and received many gifts and flowers. Thanks Andy Savage
Andy Savage from Derby



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