The Queen and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle's highly anticipated visit to Chester on Thursday, June 14 was a triumph for the city.
Huge crowds filled Chester city centre and a temporary traffic regulation was in place to prohibit all traffic from the majority of streets.
The monarch and her granddaughter-in-law arrived at Storyhouse just before noon, where they first observed a minute's silence in remembrance of the Grenfell Tower fire, which happened one year ago to the day.
Their visit to Chester included a tour and performance at Storyhouse where The Queen unveiled a plaque at Storyhouse, they attended a lunch at Chester Town Hall with local politicians and civic dignitaries.
The trip to Cheshire, which also included an official opening of the Mersey Gateway Bridge, was the first official engagement involving just Her Majesty and her new granddaughter-in-law.
Signing off
That’s a wrap. Thanks for staying with us all day during today’s fantastic events.
We’re sure all who went to catch a glimpse of the Royals had a great time and won’t forget their experience in a hurry.
We certainly gave Her Majesty and the Duchess of Sussex a very warm welcome to Chester didn’t we?
Chronicle editor Michael Green has written an overview of what has been a thrilling day for Cheshire
A tweet from the royals
Thank you for the lovely posies which were presented to Her Majesty and The Duchess by two members of Storyhouse’s Youth Theatre: Lilja Fagan, age 7 and Nye Egan-Simon, aged 6. #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/b79x14ZshX
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 14, 2018
Aww!
How lovely
They will remember today for the rest of their lives!
— The Firs School (@TheFirsSchool) June 14, 2018
Crowd spotting
Can you spot yourself in the crowds of people waiting to catch a glimpse of the Queen and Duchess?
And they're off
Her Majesty and the Duchess have been pictured leaving the Town Hall, after lunch
Cast your minds back
The Queen has been coming to Chester since before she was even on the throne.
We put together this gallery of pictures of the various royal visits to Chester over the years, including Princess Diana, Prince Edward and Princes William and Harry
Unforgettable day
Have a look through our gallery of some of the amazing pictures from today’s visit
All smiles
We love this picture of the Queen and Meghan on the steps of Chester Town Hall
Small faces
Star pupils from years 7-10 @UCANOfficial in Northwich on a royal day out to see the Queen and Meghan @ChesterChron #chesterroyalvisit pic.twitter.com/mcmer8FFcH
— David Holmes (@sherlock1968) June 14, 2018
Fabulous
Lots of happy people in Chester today
Fabulous day meeting the Queen and Meghan @StoryhouseLive. Well done the Storyhouse team for organising such a seamless event! @susie_stubbs xx pic.twitter.com/evlTz83ZOE
— KMS Media (@wearekms) June 14, 2018
From Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace have tweeted this lovely photo of Meghan meeting some children on Northgate Street
The Duchess of Sussex joins The Queen for a walkabout to meet members of the public in Chester city centre #RoyalVisitCheshire pic.twitter.com/EQ1Q1izlTI
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2018
Nice to meet you
Jo Henwood captured the Queen and Meghan meeting and greeting Cestrians
#RoyalVisitChester pic.twitter.com/GV742BkqZi
— Jo Henwood (@JoHenwood) June 14, 2018
One city unites
The Royals are making their way from Storyhouse to the Town Hall
One Queen. One Duchess of Sussex. Lots of people...#chester pic.twitter.com/Ue7frdjJ8G
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) June 14, 2018
Enjoying Storyhouse
Lovely picture of The Queen and Meghan enjoying a reading in the library of Storyhouse
A Little Culture
One of the things the Queen and Meghan will be doing during their time at Storyhouse is watching an excerpt of A Little Night Music.
This received a rave review from Chronicle editor Michael Green earlier this month. Read it here
Heartwarming
You really should take time to read this heartwarming story of a die-hard Royalist who has met the Queen more than 150 TIMES!
He’s planning on presenting Her Majesty and Meghan with some very poignant presents
Dignitaries getting ready
Won’t be long before the Royals will be making their way over to the Town Hall
They are queueing up ready for #thequeen #chester @ChesterChron pic.twitter.com/A43hgozjGP
— Tim Parkinson (@TechyTP) June 14, 2018
Designer Duchess
Meghan and the Queen both look stunning!
The Duchess is believed to be wearing a dress by Givenchy
They're here
This is the moment they arrived in Chester
The moment the Queen and Meghan Markle arrive at @StoryhouseLive in Chester #RoyalVisit #HeartNews pic.twitter.com/US2Dpn6vah
— North West News (@HeartNWNews) June 14, 2018
Remembering Grenfell
The Royals have arrived at Storyhouse but first it’s a minute’s silence for last year’s Grenfell Tower fire
A minute’s silence is being observed in Chester in memory of those who died at #Grenfell: pic.twitter.com/sKt7i8xwbF
— Emily Nash (@emynash) June 14, 2018
Was that the Queen driving past?!
Check out this fabulous video of the Queen and Meghan Markle’s car driving through Hoole
Amazing! #chester #hoole pic.twitter.com/73dbIINGzA
— St Martin's Chester (@StMartinsChest1) June 14, 2018
They're en route!!
They’re almost here
Royal car SPOTTED on Hoole bridge: #chesterroyalvisit pic.twitter.com/rvgAXot5gI
— Phil McCann (@phi1mccann) June 14, 2018
Anticipation building
They’re running a bit behind schedule but the anticipation is building in Chester
Anticipation is building...@CllrSDixon @Bonzothelion @Chris_Matheson et al waiting outside @StoryhouseLive for royal party to arrive. pic.twitter.com/MiSWtqBrOa
— David Holmes (@sherlock1968) June 14, 2018
AND THEY'VE ARRIVED!
The Queen and Meghan have arrived at Runcorn Station - Her Majesty is looking lovely in green and the Duchess in cream
Message for the royals
The Firs School have a warm welcome for the royals
A message from The Firs School Chester to the Queen and Dutchess. #meghanmarkel #RoyalVisit @GranadaReports pic.twitter.com/UWTuMn2kam
— Sarah Rogers (@sarahrogersITV) June 14, 2018
Colourful chat
What’s it going to be?
People discussing what colour the Queen will be wearing. What do you think?
— Lois York (@LoisYork) June 14, 2018
Taking no chances
Security is tight
Police spotters on the roof of @StoryhouseLive for the royal visit. @ChesterChron #takingnochances #chesterroyalvisit pic.twitter.com/rUs9BNa2ev
— David Holmes (@sherlock1968) June 14, 2018
