Queen swaps her coach for a bus

Only a couple of days ago the Queen had the magnificent Gold State Coach to travel in from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's.

Today she did something she has not done for years, if ever: she boarded a London bus.

She was visiting Willesden bus garage, and the bus - a No 52 - was definitely just for show today.

Driver Tony Farrell, 54, was under strict instructions not to take any money from her. His ticket machine said "out of service" and he explained: "I was told I don't issue her a ticket, just show her the machine."

If she had wanted to go to Buckingham Palace, it would have cost her £1 - but of course, as anyone knows, you don't get the 52 to the palace, you have to change at Knightsbridge and walk the rest.

The Queen showed a keen interest in the mechanics of the bus. Mr Farrell, who has been working on the buses for 32 years and lives in Ealing said: "She asked whether it was power steering. I thought she was going to have a go."

He added: "When I told her it was worth £140,000 she seemed a little bit taken aback at that price.

She was shown round the bus by Eugene Collymore, 57, who has worked on the buses for 33 years.

Later the Queen met other staff and was presented with a bouquet by Mr Collymore's three-year-old grandson Trae Essel.

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