Diamond Jubilee: Queen Meets Rhinoceros During Zoo Visit

Queen Meets Rhino On Zoo Visit

The Queen came face-to-face with a rhinoceros on Thursday as she continued her Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK.

The encounter came as the monarch was making her first visit to Chester Zoo in Cheshire.

Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, as part of their visit to the North West, the Queen visited the zoo, its animals and unveiled a plaque.

Some members of the public had arrived as early as 6.30am at the zoo to get a glimpse of the royal party.

Gloria Ackerley, 65, from Delamere, Cheshire, waited from 7.45am with her daughter Elizabeth, 40, and granddaughter Daisy, four, for a glimpse of the Queen.

Mrs Ackerley said: "We just want to see The Queen. She is such a special person and the Jubilee is a historic occasion."

After waving to the crowd, the Queen unveiled a plaque at the new £2 million entrance and gateway of the zoo - named the Diamond Jubilee Quarter - before meeting dignitaries.

The Queen and the Duke were then taken on a monorail tour of the zoo.

Following that, the two split up as the Queen was taken to see the rhino paddock while the Duke headed off to see the elephants.

The 40-minute tour was rounded off when Ruby Pilgrim, nine, presented the Queen with a posy.

Ruby said meeting the Queen was "exciting".

Ruby, daughter of the zoo's director general Dr Mark Pilgrim, said: "She asked me if I liked ponies and seeing the birds and animals in the zoo."

Close

What's Hot