Huge crowds as duke pays tribute

The Duke of Cambridge has paid tribute to the work of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in protecting "vital outdoor places" as huge crowds came out for the latest leg of the Diamond Jubilee tour.

Thousands flocked to various parts of Nottingham to see the Queen, William and the Duchess of Cambridge as they continued the tour in the East Midlands.

The Duke of Edinburgh was originally scheduled to take part in the visit but had to cancel as he continues to recover from a bladder infection.

Visiting Vernon Park, in Nottingham, which is the latest to be granted Queen Elizabeth II Fields In Trust status, William said: "I do feel something of an interloper here today.

"After all, the Queen has been patron of Fields In Trust for all 60 years of her reign.

"My grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, who very sadly cannot be here today, has been president for 64 years.

"This marvellous charity provides people of all ages up and down the country with the space to play sport, keep fit and generally get outside and enjoy themselves in the fresh air.

"Fields In Trust, I know, is very dear to my grandparents' hearts, as it is mine.

The Duke paid tribute to his grandparents and thanked them for protecting "vital outdoor places" like Vernon Park for the nation and also the charity for its work.

Earlier, the duke and duchess arrived at Nottingham railway station ahead of the Queen and greeted her as she got off the royal train.

As they chatted with dignitaries on platform six a handful of passengers gathered on the opposite side of the tracks and waved flags.

William shouted to them: "Are you waiting for the same train we are?"

As the Queen got off the train, her grandson was heard to compliment her on her hat, which was by Rachel Trevor-Morgan.

She was wearing a silk tweed double breasted Stewart Parvin coat and shift dress with shades of turquoise, grey and ivory.

The royal party was greeted with cheers at the station concourse and were confronted by thousands more well-wishers as they moved to the city centre.

A huge cheer went up from the crowd, estimated to be around 20,000, as the Queen and duke and duchess arrived at the Old Market Square in the city centre.

Kate, who wore a blue teal coat by Missoni and matching hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, smiled and chatted as she shook hands with the crowd.

The Queen, who looked relaxed and smiled throughout the visit, also talked to people in the square, some of whom arrived at 5am, before the royal party moved into the Council House.

They appeared a few minutes later on the balcony of the building to a huge cheer while the national anthem was played.

Maureen Cottee, 66, from Leicester, met Kate and shook her hand before telling her: "Oh, you're fantastic."

Mrs Cottee said of the encounter: "I said 'I think you're beautiful, you look gorgeous' and she asked me what time I got here.

"I told her I arrived at around 5am and she laughed before asking 'Have you got your blanket?'."

The royal party then moved to the park, which is in Basford, about three and a half miles from the city centre.

The park is one of 1,300 recreational spaces to be given Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge status so far.

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge is an initiative by the Fields In Trust charity to protect 2012 recreational spaces across the UK as a permanent legacy to mark the Jubilee.

"This is an exciting day, this is a historic day for Nottingham," said Gyles Brandreth, vice president of Fields In Trust.

The BBC One Show star added that the Duke of Edinburgh was there "in spirit".

Ronald and Kaylet Smedley, 86 and 80, who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary this year, were in the crowd and told William they had been married for 60 years.

Mrs Smedley said: "He asked 'are you still speaking to each other'."