Queen starts Channel Islands tour

Schoolchildren provided a welcoming party

Thousands of people welcomed the Queen to Guernsey for her two-day visit to the Channel Islands.

On arrival at the airport a green disinfectant mat was rolled out for the Queen to walk on as foot-and-mouth precautions continued on the islands.

The Queen's Royal Squadron jet touched down on Guernsey on Thursday.

And the 60,000 people on the island celebrated a public holiday.

The Queen waved to the waiting crowd

Seven-year-old Lois Francis-Jehan, whose mother died eight weeks ago, was selected to present a bouquet of flowers.

Stephen Francis, Lois's stepfather, said: "I nursed my wife at home and Lois has coped remarkably well.

"Lois is a brave little girl."

The Queen's green outfit represented Guernsey's official colour.

She was then chauffeur-driven to the island's main town of St Peter Port.

Patois poem

Islanders threw a welcoming celebration for the Queen, who was accompanied by Lord Irvine, the Lord Chancellor.

The Bailiff of Guernsey, Mr de Vic Carey, read a Loyal Address.

And the Queen sent her good wishes to the people of Guernsey and thanked them for their "expression of allegiance, loyalty and devotion to the Crown".

A poem was read out in Guernsey patois, a language still spoken, mainly by older islanders originating from Norman French.

At Castle Cornet, the Queen opened the newly-renovated museum.

The Queen is also due to visit the Channel Islands of Alderney and Sark during her visit.