Her Majesty The Queen has arrived at the new Royal Papworth Hospital to crowds of excited children waving Union Jack flags.

Elegantly dressed in a bright pink coat, she was greeted by the HRH Duchess of Gloucester and Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence.

They briefly shared a few words before HM was escorted inside as local schoolchildren shouted 'welcome to Papworth!'

She had arrived five minutes earlier than scheduled to jubilant crowds.

Ely Standard: Her Majesty The Queen arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital to crowds of excited children waving Union Jack flags. She was greeted by the HRH Duchess of Gloucester and Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence. Picture: TERRY HARRIS.Her Majesty The Queen arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital to crowds of excited children waving Union Jack flags. She was greeted by the HRH Duchess of Gloucester and Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence. Picture: TERRY HARRIS. (Image: Archant)

Patients and staff had gathered around the entrance of the impressive new world-leading heart and lung hospital. Bouquets of flowers, handmade flags and plenty of camera phones were on display in hope of grabbing a selfie.

The Queen will now be shown inside, with a visit to the Catheter Laboratory 1 on the first floor where non-surgical procedures are performed.

Earlier this morning she was shown round the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), before stopping for lunch at Queens' College.

Ely Standard: Her Majesty The Queen arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital to crowds of excited children waving Union Jack flags. Picture: CLARE BUTLER.Her Majesty The Queen arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital to crowds of excited children waving Union Jack flags. Picture: CLARE BUTLER. (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Her Majesty The Queen looking radiant in pink as she arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital. Picture: TERRY HARRIS.Her Majesty The Queen looking radiant in pink as she arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital. Picture: TERRY HARRIS. (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Her Majesty The Queen arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital to crowds of excited children waving Union Jack flags. She was greeted by the HRH Duchess of Gloucester and Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence. Picture: TERRY HARRIS.Her Majesty The Queen arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital to crowds of excited children waving Union Jack flags. She was greeted by the HRH Duchess of Gloucester and Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence. Picture: TERRY HARRIS. (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Her Majesty The Queen arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital to crowds of excited children waving Union Jack flags. She was greeted by the HRH Duchess of Gloucester and Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence. Picture: TERRY HARRIS.Her Majesty The Queen arrives at the new Royal Papworth Hospital to crowds of excited children waving Union Jack flags. She was greeted by the HRH Duchess of Gloucester and Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence. Picture: TERRY HARRIS. (Image: Archant)