Style on the Royal express: Duchess of Cambridge and the Queen board train on first day of Diamond Jubilee tour

The Duchess of Cambridge and the Queen gave a lesson in how to travel in style today as they kicked off the Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK.

The Royals looked a far cry from the average train commuter, causing quite a stir at St Pancras station in London.

Kate looked to the 1940's for inspiration, wearing an elegant teal peplum suit by L.K. Bennett which consisted of the £395 'Jude' jacket and £225 'Davina' dress. She wore a pillbox hat by James Lock hat.

The Queen, 85, wore a cerise cashmere dress and coat with black trim by Angela Kelly, and a matching hat by the same designer.

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Queen Elizabeth, with the Duchess of Cambridge, launched a nationwide tour, kicking off in Leicester today, to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee

The Queen and Kate departed from St Pancras station in London this morning and took the 10.15 train to Nottingham

The Royals, joined by Prince Philip, travelled together to Leicester by train before going on to visit various parts of the city.

Crowds stood three-deep on pavements surrounding the train station, behind crash barriers, as they waited to try to catch a glimpse of the royal party arriving in the city.

Many had cameras in their hands at the ready to try to grab quick pictures of the Queen, Duke and Duchess, while others waved flags and sported hats emblazoned with the Union Jack.

Kate, who channelled 1940's old-school glamour in a teal suit by L.K. Bennett nipped-in at the waist and shoes by Episode

Kate is greeted by Station Manager David Oldershaw as she arrives in Leicester after the short train journey

A police helicopter hovered overhead and many officers and patrol cars bordered the roads around the station.

Inside the train station a heavy police presence monitored the area and access to the station was limited for commuters.

The royal party strolled through the recently refurbished St Pancras International station as other passengers turned to watch them board the 10.15 train to Nottingham.

Kate and the Queen applaud at a plaque unveiling ceremony at Leiciester's Clock Tower 

Kate's posture is perfect as she has mastered the etiquette of posing as a Royal

Kate admitted she was missing William terribly while he is in the Falklands but that she is being 'well looked-after'

The Queen, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Philip all signed the the guest book 

Their first stop was De Montfort University, with a stop in De Montfort Square en route where they watched a dance performance.

The Queen and Kate then watched a student fashion parade at the university, where a group of six students have been gearing up for the moment they get to meet Kate. There were more cheers inside as the royal visitors took their seats for a fashion show.

They chatted and smiled to each other as they waited for the models to come down the catwalk.

Kate chats with the crowds at Leicester Cathedral as she receives flowers from Seven-year-old Danielle Mann

Kate watched a student fashion parade as part of the tour, where she met a group of six University students

Kate receives a bunch of flowers from a well-wishing schoolgirl as she leaves Leicester Cathedral

As the show by recent design graduates from the university got under way, the Queen and the Duchess continued to exchange observations as they sat side-by-side at the end of the runway.

The Queen sat quietly as the models showed off the colourful designs. The Duchess looked closely at the clothes and swapped comments with guests around her.

While they were preoccupied with fashion, the Duke of Edinburgh viewed the Square Mile project - De Montfort University's programme to help improve the life and surroundings of the local community.

The Queen was first to get out of the car as they were greeted  a huge cheer from the thousands of waiting people

The Queen smiled as she walked over to a group of children from the crowd who presented her with bunches of flowers

Outside, the royal party was greeted with more screams as they walked over to talk to the crowds.

At one point security staff had to hold on to the barriers to prevent people spilling forward.

The Queen, Duchess and Duke were then greeted at Leicester Cathedral by a huge cheer from the thousands of waiting people.

Kate told one well-wisher she was missing William "terribly" when the royal party went on another short walk-about.

Laura Murphy, 30, said: '"I said 'how's William?" and she said "he's fine - I'm missing him terribly".

'She was really smiley. Really happy.'

Kate gives a Royal wave from the car as she arrives in the city centre

Miss Murphy said she asked Kate how she was doing without her husband.

She said the Duchess replied: 'I'm being well looked after.'

She went on: 'She shook my hand and said I was very cold. I told her I'd been standing here since 9am.'

The crowd, who stood nine-deep on some parts of the pavement and looked to consist of around 5,000 people, let out whoops and claps as the royal party pulled up outside.

The Duchess wore a hat by her favourite British milliner James Lock and her sapphire engagement ring

The Queen wore a cerise cashmere dress and coat with black trim by Angela Kelly, and a matching hat by the same designer

The Queen was first to get out of the car and smiled as she walked over to a group of five children from the crowd who presented her with bunches of flowers.

Kate, waiting patiently behind, mouthed the words 'hello' to one young girl before moving forward and bending down to talk to her.

Erica Swift, 85, from Blaby, was one of the well-wishers who had been waiting at the 300-year-old cathedral to see the royals since 10am.
'I came because I want to see the Queen,' she said.

'Sixty years reign - she's a gracious lady and I admire her a lot. Nobody can beat her. I wish her all the best now and for many more years.'

Around 700 people took part in the service, which was described by cathedral staff as a Christian act of worship with multi-faith elements

The first stop was De Montfort University, with a stop in De Montfort Square en route where they  watched cultural dances

The Queen also visited De Montfort University, where she attended a fashion show

The royals accepted flowers and stopped to chat to people as they made their way into the cathedral.

Around 700 people were inside for the service, which was described by cathedral staff as a Christian act of worship with multi-faith elements.
Inside, the royal party stood at the front to sing a hymn before taking their seats.

The Queen sat in the middle with the Duke on her right and the Duchess on her left.

Seven-year-old Danielle Mann, from Leicester, presented Kate with a red rose for Prince William and bunches of carnations for herself, the Queen and the Duke.

The teal outfit worn by the Duchess of Cambridge today shows her continuing interest in the colour blue

The schoolgirl said she thought Kate was 'very pretty' and she was 'excited to meet her'.

Wearing a pink dress and coat, and clutching a pink bear, Danielle, who had been allowed to take the day off school to see the royal party today, was unexpectedly pulled from the crowd to give her flowers to them when they arrived.

Jessica Laws, 13, gave the Duchess a Loughborough District Scouts neckerchief in a very quick meeting as she made her way into the cathedral.
She described Kate, who is a volunteer for the Scouts, as 'very beautiful' and said she thanked her for the neckerchief.

As the show by recent design graduates from the university got under way, the Queen and the Duchess continued to exchange observations as they sat side-by-side at the end of the runway

The Queen sat quietly as the models showed off the colourful designs while the Duchess looked closely at the clothes and swapped comments with guests around her

As part of her visit to the university, the Duchess chose a pair of shoes from a selection created by students.

Winning designer Becka Hunt, 20, said she could not believe her shoes will now be made for Kate.

She said: 'I really just can't believe it. I'm overwhelmed.

'She came over and said she loved all the designs. I cannot believe I've been chosen.'

Miss Hunt said her design was inspired by 19th century elegance and the blue colour was taken from the Duchess's engagement ring.

Kate proves to be a natural with children as she spends most of her time chatting with her younger admirers

Students who talked to the royal visitors outside the university were bowled over.

Lingerie design student Polly Shelton, 21, said: 'I told Kate she looked gorgeous and she said "I like your lipstick".

'I can't believe it. She loves my lipstick. I can't even remember what colour it is.

Many had cameras in their hands at the ready to try to grab quick pictures of the Queen, Duke and Duchess, while others waved Union flags and sported hats emblazoned with the union Jack flag

'Then she smiled and walked off. But that's enough for me.

'She is so elegant - breathtaking.'

Her friend, Kate Howard, also 21, said they had been at the barrier since 5am to see the Duchess.

'She was just amazing,' she said. 

Gemma Lawton, 19, said: 'I am Kate's biggest fan. 'I can't believe I have spoken to her.'

The crowd waiting outside the cathedral broke into a rousing rendition of the National Anthem as the 30-minute service drew to a close. Afterwards, the royal visitors were greeted by rapturous applause from the crowds who had waited patiently outside, watching the service on a big screen.

Kuljit Singh, 11, from St Barnabas School, presented a posy of flowers to the Queen as she came out.

Six-year-old Amy-Lou Dronfield, from Stoney Stanton, looked a little shy as she walked forward to present Kate with a posy.

After a very quick meeting, she darted off and Kate, with a broad smile, bent slightly to speak to the Queen next to her.

The royal party were taken into the reception area of St Martins House, just a few yards away from the cathedral, where the Queen met various faith leaders while the Duke and Kate met outreach workers.

The Duchess of Cambridge disembarked from the train from London after Prince Philip and the Queen

The royal couple will travel around the country from March to July, by a range of means - car, royal train, aircraft and the ship Leander

Russell Bentley, a Street Pastor for Leicestershire, said the Duchess was very interested when he told her that one of his roles was to hand out flip-flops to women whose high heels got the better of them on nights out.

'As soon as I mentioned that we give flip-flops out to these girls, she laughed and said 'I bet you do', or something like that.'

Mr Bentley said Kate was very interested in the work the Street Pastor teams do when they go out on Friday and Saturday nights and help young people to find their friends, get taxis home, or pick up bottles to stop them being used as weapons, among other roles.

Afterwards, they went to nearby St Martins House to meet faith and charity representatives.

Lunch was held in the Grand Hall at St Martins House and their final stop will be at the Clock Tower in Leicester city centre to receive a gift from the City.

The Queen, the Duke and the Duchess also witnessed a performance on a theme of the Holi Festival, entitled '60 colours'.

Before the visit, Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: 'I am very proud that Leicester will be the first stop on the Queen's Diamond Jubilee tour.

'Leicester has an excellent reputation for hosting celebrations and I am confident we will give the royal party a day to remember.'

Crowds stood three-deep on pavements surrounding the train station, behind crash barriers, as they waited to try to catch a glimpse of the royal party arriving in the city

Nine year old of Chloe Holford, left, and Eight year old Ruby Lawrence, right, await Kate's arrival

The Diamond Jubilee tour will take the Queen and Duke from the Isle of Wight to Birmingham, and from Merthyr Tydfil to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The royal couple will travel around the country from March to July, by a range of means - car, royal train, aircraft and the ship Leander.

The tour will finish on July 25 in the South East of England.

The tour will finish on July 25 in the South East of England

KATE'S GOT THE BLUES: COLOUR IS FAST BECOMING DUCHESS'S FAVOURITE

The teal outfit worn by the Duchess of Cambridge today shows her continuing interest in the colour blue, a fashion expert said.

The Duchess wore a cornflower blue coat-dress at her last public appearance at Fortnum and Mason in London last Thursday.

'I wonder if this is a colour she is fond of, and if this is a trend we are seeing," said Jess Markwood, editor of OSOYOU.com

The 'Davina' dress was still available late this morning on the L.K. Bennett website, though not in teal

The 'Davina' dress was still available late this morning on the L.K. Bennett website, though not in teal, Ms Markwood said.

'It's available in many other colours. It's a really popular dress, one of their classic pieces, it is flattering and classic. With a waist belt there is a lovely hour glass silhouette and I can see a lot of people wanting that for their work wear.'

'The shoes from Episode are also classic', she said.

The dress, part of L.K. Bennett's signature collection, has already proved popular - it was chosen by Labour leader Ed Miliband's wife Justine Thornton for the party conference last September. She wore a dark purple version

'It's fantastic that she's championing the high street - it certainly needs it,' she said.

The Davina dress, part of L.K. Bennett's signature collection, has already proved popular - it was chosen by Labour leader Ed Miliband's wife Justine Thornton for the party conference last September. She wore a dark purple version.

It has also been worn by breakfast TV presenter Sian Williams, who bought a bright red Davina dress for a charity event in November last year.

There was a rush of sales on the Jude jacket worn by the Duchess, which sold out on the L.K. Bennett website today. It had been reduced from £296 to £145.

VIDEO: The Queen and Duchess of Cambridge enjoy a fashion show together at Leicester's De Montfort University