The Queen's Diamond Jubilee tour got off to a colourful start today.

She was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and her granddaughter-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, for the visit to Leicester.

Well-wishers waving Union flags were on hand at the city's station as the royal party alighted from the 10:15 Nottingham service from St Pancras International in London.

Their first destination was De Montfort University, with a stop in De Montfort Square en route to watch cultural dances.

The Queen and Kate were also watching a student fashion parade at the university, where a group of six budding designers have been gearing up for their meeting with fashion icon Kate.

While the Queen and Kate were preoccupied with fashion, Philip was viewing the Square Mile project - De Montfort University's programme to help improve the life and surroundings of the local community.

The royal party were then visiting Leicester Cathedral to attend a service of Christian worship with participation from other faiths in the city, one of the UK's most ethnically diverse.

Earlier the royal party strolled through the recently refurbished St Pancras International station as other passengers turned to watch them.

The Diamond Jubilee tour will take the Queen and Duke from the Isle of Wight to Birmingham, and from Merthyr Tydfil to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The royal couple will travel around the country from March to July, by a range of means - car, royal train, aircraft and the ship Leander.

The tour will finish on July 25 in the south east of England.