Even the Queen was not exempt from taking off her shoes at a £3 million Hindu Temple she opened in Bradford.

She swapped her black patent court shoes for simple white pumps as she entered the prayer room at the Shree Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Leeds Road.

Dozens of people lined the entrance to the site while up to 200 worshippers and dignitaries welcomed her and the Duke of Edinburgh inside.

Youngsters waiting excitedly for a glimpse of the couple, included pupils at nearby St Mary's and St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary, Netherleigh and Rossfield Independent School, Bradford Grammar Junior School and Spinning Top nursery.

The Royal couple were presented with garlands of flowers as traditional Hindu music was played and incense burned.

The couple then spoke to some of the worshippers and met trustees and officials before the Queen unveiled a bronze plaque to officially mark the opening.

New Delhi preacher Swami Shri Gopal Sharan Devacharya Ji Maharaj addressed the Queen and Prince Philip and thanked them for her visit.

She was presented with a silver plaque and picture depicting the temple and a shawl.

The day will be ingrained in the memory of seven-year-old Aaveesa Khan, who presented the Queen with a bouquet .

The St Mary's and St Peter's RC School pupil said: "She said the flowers were lovely and she asked me what school I went to. I liked her, I noticed her jewellery."

Head teacher Karen Naik added: "It was an absolute treat, it was a great privilege, The children were really excited when we were walking up and were asking Are we going to meet the real queen?' It was nice to see her in the flesh."

The Queen also made another youngster's day when Disha Joshi, aged nine, also presented her with flowers.

The Bronte House School pupil said: "I was really excited about meeting the Queen today and I was a bit nervous. She said hello and asked me my name and then she thanked me for the flowers."

Achhar Dharni, chairman of trustees at the Hindu Cultural Society of Bradford, said he had been sworn to secrecy about the visit for the last six weeks.

He added: "The Queen was very pleased to hear about the fundraising and was delighted to see the community as a whole.

"The Duke of Edinburgh is a jolly person, he was very interested in everything and wanted to have a good look."