Queen"s Maundy Thursday visit sees security boosted around Leicester Cathedral as cops search bags ahead of service

Maundy Thursday - A Video Devotional
ROYAL RING OF STEEL

Soldiers and police officerswere picturedchecking drains and searching bags around the city centre

POLICE have formed a ring of steel around Leicester Cathedral for the Queens visit today.

Security has been stepped upas Her Majesty takes part inMaundy Thursday.

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The Queen meets former servicemen during Maundy Thursday at Leicester Cathedral today

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The Queen handed two purses one white and one red to each person during the Maundy Thursday service

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Her Majesty carrying a bouquet of flowers after the ancient service

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The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh outside Leicester Cathedral

Crowds of cheering fanslined the streets to welcome Her Majesty who arrived with Prince Philip around 11.30am.

Soldiers and cops were seen checking drains and searching bags around the city centre.

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Crowds of cheering fans lined the streets to welcome Her Majesty who arrived with Prince Philip

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A police officer checks a mans bag in Leicester city centre today

Caters News Agency

Police patrols have been stepped up around the city ahead of the Queens visit

PA:Press Association

Police officers look through bags outside the cathedral

A delivery sack was also inspected amid growing terror fears.

The Queens visit comes just three weeks after the Westminster terror attack which left five people dead.

Emergency services are on high alert following the atrocity.

Her Majesty wasaccompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh for the ancient tradition of handing out Maundy Monday to 91 men and 91 woman representingher age.

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The 182 recipients of the Maundy money are senior citizens and weregiven the gifts in recognition of the service they have given to the church and their local area.

The Queen handedtwo purses one white and one red to each person during the service.

The red purse contains a 5 coin, commemorating the Centenary of the House of Windsor and a 50p coin commemorating Sir Isaac Newton.

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Royal fans gather ahead of the Queens visit

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Cops inspect a drain during security checks in Leicester

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A soldier patrols the streets as security is heightened

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Police inspect a Royal Mail delivery outside Leicester cathedral

The white purse contained uniquely minted maundy coins, equating in pence to her age.

The Royal Maundy is an ancient ceremony which originated in the commandment Christ gave after washing the feet of his disciples the day before Good Friday.

The Queen last visited the East Midlands city in March 2012 as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour, while the cathedral is the final burial place of King Richard III, whose remains were discovered in the city in September 2012.

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