HM THE QUEEN OPENS ST PANCRAS INTERNATIONAL

HM the Queen opens St Pancras International.

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, today launched High Speed 1, the UK's first section of high speed railway and officially opened St Pancras International Station.

• High Speed 1 completed on time and within budget
• St Pancras International to set new standards in station hospitality as 'the world's finest station'
• Eurostar High Speed 1 services commence from St Pancras International on 14 November

(6th November: London) The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, today launched High Speed 1, the UK's first section of high speed railway and officially opened St Pancras International Station, the magnificently restored Victorian train station in the centre of London.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness arrived by car at the Hotel Arch beneath the Gothic façade of the Grand Midland Hotel before being greeted by Sir David Cooksey, chairman, London & Continental Railways, the company behind the project.

The Royal Party sat on specially built platforms beneath the Barlow Trainshed roof and delivered an address to an invited audience of over 1,000 guests including senior political figures from London, the UK and Europe. A state of the art light, sound and film show was accompanied by music from the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, performing with chart topper Lemar and Katherine Jenkins.

The finale consisted of a film about the £10.5bn of regeneration that forms the legacy of High Speed 1 while The Queen met drivers from Eurostar and a Southeastern Hitachi 'bullet' train. Her Majesty was also introduced to those involved with the construction of the station before receiving a specially commissioned commemorative replica of the grand Station Clock, unveiling an official plaque and receiving a posy of flowers.

Rob Holden, chief executive of London & Continental Railways said: "The completion of High Speed 1 and the opening of St Pancras International, on time and within budget, ia a great source of pride for the thousands of men and women who have been involved in one of the most significant projects in UK railway history. For Her Majesty to have been here to officially declare the new high speed line and station open is a fitting tribute."

Preparations will now continue for St Pancras International to open to the public when the Eurostar service completes its move from Waterloo to St Pancras International on 14 November 2007.

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