Queen and duke visit North East

Well-wishers greeted the Queen in Newcastle

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh officially opened a new school, city library and a £26m museum during a day-long tour of north-east England.

The royal couple began their visit by opening Washington School in Tyne and Wear.

They visited Newcastle's Northumberland Street and met with well-wishers, before opening the new city library.

Princess Eugenie then joined the pair for lunch after The Queen officially opened the city's Great North Museum.

The 19-year-old princess is studying English, history of art and politics at Newcastle University.

The royal party was given a reception and lunch at the museum in Newcastle, which has attracted more than 500,00 visitors since it opened five months ago.

The Queen toured the museum's Living Planet exhibition and visited its interactive model of Hadrian's Wall.

The Queen officially opened the Great North Museum

Alec Coles, director of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, said: "There could be no greater recognition of the significance of this endeavour."

The city library's official opening of its £24m building was marked by the unveiling of a plaque by the Queen.

Emily Webb, from St Lawrence's Primary School, presented her with a posy of flowers.

The schoolgirl was chosen because she was the last person to withdraw a book from the old library and became the first person to take out a book from the new.

The Queen and the duke toured Washington School separately and the couple were then invited to listen to the school choir.

The 1,000-pupil school was developed on a site used for almost 100 years for education, and its £19m pound new building was designed in consultation with the pupils.