Queen Elizabeth in Southwark
Britain's Queen Elizabeth visited The Shard building in London yesterday (21.11.13).
The 87-year-old monarch and her husband Prince Philip took in a bird's eye view of the English capital from the vantage point of the glass tower's 72nd floor and appeared delighted with the city's newest landmark, which opened in February this year.
The couple were whisked up to the top of The Shard, which stands at over 1,000 ft, via a lift and marvelled at the panoramic views before meeting staff and recipients of the Southwark Scholarship Scheme, which helps the area's poorest students to go to university.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip took in the panoramic views from the 72nd floor of London's Shard buildingIrvine Sellar, developer of The Shard and London Bridge Quarter, said: "The Queen was very relaxed and informed. She seemed to enjoy herself.
"She wanted to know where Prince Andrew abseiled from and commented that St Paul's looked very small."
The queen was most excited about seeing her home, Buckingham Palace, from the top of the tallest building in Europe and asked staff to help her use a digital telescope.
According to the Daily Express newspaper, Mark Layden from the Shard's apprenticeship scheme said: "I was stood by the telescope and she asked, 'Are you going to show me Buckingham Palace?' She liked how much you can zoom in.
"She seemed quite interested in a plane flying past on its way to City airport as well."
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