Queen greeted crowd with tears in her eyes

Queen Meets the Public

With the Duke of Edinburgh, she surveyed the sea of floral tributes laid at the Palace in memory of the Princess of Wales and spoke to mourners paying their respects.

As they arrived the Royal Standard was run up the palace flagpole to flutter in the breeze for the first time since Diana's death nearly a week ago.

Several thousand people gathered outside the Palace and watched as the Queen and Prince Philip looked at the flowers, messages, balloons, candles, flags and teddy bears.

A sea of flowers at Buckingham Palace

The Prince, clearly upset, placed flowers himself on behalf of people in the crowd who were held back by police barriers.

It was perhaps an anxious moment for the Royal couple, facing a large crowd for the first time since the Diana's death.

"There were tears in her eyes," said Enid Jones, from Brighton. "My granddaughter gave her some flowers and the Queen was really pleased. She nearly didn't take them and asked if they were really for her. We said we thought she needed some. People say they don't care - but they were both obviously filling up with tears."

Angela Powell from Swansea, said the Queen told her it was "wonderful" to see so many flowers.

"But the Queen was very slow to talk and said she was very sad," said Ms Powell.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh re-enter the Palace

Charlie Hurst, 20, from Rugeley, Staffordshire, said the Queen told him she had been looking after Prince William and Prince Harry. "I think it's quite brave of her to come here to face the crowd after the criticism she's had," he said.

Jackie Withers, from East Barnet, Hertfordshire, said the Queen should have returned to London sooner.

"I think it's a bit late in the day," she said. "I understand they've got to protect the boys - I just felt they pushed Diana out a bit."

The Queen later went on to St James's Palace where Diana's coffin lies.

Queen broadcasts live to the nation.