The Queen today officially opened Heathrow's new Terminal 2, some 59 years after she opened the original terminal.
The monarch, who was accompanied by Prince Philip, unveiled a commemorative plaque that will later be installed in a public part of the £2.5 billion building for passengers to see.
Royal visit: Heathrow development director John Holland-Kaye leads the Queen through Heathrow Terminal 2
The Queen unveils a commemorative plaque that will be installed in a public part of T2
This afternoon's ceremony was attended by over 1,000 people who were either involved in T2's construction or are part of the team now working in the new terminal.
During her visit, the Queen met dignitaries including Heathrow executives, Star Alliance executives, architect Luis VIdal and Richard Wilson, the designer of the Slipstream art installation in place in the terminal's courtyard entrance.
T2 welcomed its first passengers on June 4 when United Airlines began operating out of the terminal (see news, June 4), followed by Air Canada two weeks later (see news, June 18).
Flashback: The Queen, pictured during a visit to Heathrow in 1977, opened the old terminal's Queen's Building in 1955
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow's development director and chief executive designate, said: "Heathrow is delighted to welcome Her Majesty to open her new airport terminal. Today is a celebration of the great work by many people and many organisations from across the country to create a new front door for the UK.
"The completion of the new Queen's Terminal is the culmination of an £11 billion private investment programme that delivers a world-class hub airport that the UK can be proud of."
The original T2 was Heathrow's first passenger terminal and was opened by the Queen in 1955. The old terminal buildings were demolished following the 2008 opening of Terminal 5.
Graham Smith
