The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh continued their tour of the northwest of the country and inaugurated a new entrance - the Diamond Jubilee Quarter - at the Chester Zoo, on 17 May.

The royal couple visited the zoo by monorail, where the Queen unveiled a plaque at the entrance. The two then parted; the Queen went to see the rhinoceros paddock, while The Duke of Edinburgh viewed the elephant enclosure. There were reportedly crowds gathering as early as 6.30 in the morning, to get a glimpse of the royal guests.

"We just want to see the Queen. She is such a special person and the Jubilee is a historic occasion," Gloria Ackerley, a resident from Delamere, was quoted as saying in a Press Association (PA report). Ackerley was accompanied by her daughter and granddaughter, Daisy. The Queen was presented with a posy of flowers by nine year old Ruby Pilgrim.

The couple then visited the Orford Jubilee Park in Warrington, where they took rounds of the interior of the building. The Queen was shown artwork by children from Lysander High School and a Jubilee history display by Warrington Museum. The students from the University of Chester presented the Queen with The Loyal Address before she unveiled a statue in the front of the building. Meanwhile, The Duke of Edinburgh helped bury a time capsule that was created by children from schools in the Orford area.

The Queen and the The Duke of Edinburgh then visited the Merseyside Maritime Museum and boarded a yellow Duckmarine boat for a short tour around Albert Dock before returning for lunch.

The Queen visited Accrington Market Hall the previous day, where she unveiled a coat of arms and, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, visited market stalls. They also lunched, earlier that day, at Burnley Football Club and visited Burnely College and the University of Central Lancashire.

Check out photographs of the Queen's visit

1. Queen Elizabeth
Percentage in ICM poll: 35% Reuters
Britain039s Queen Elizabeth visits the Chester Zoo in Chester, northern England
Britain's Queen Elizabeth visits the Chester Zoo in Chester, northern England May 17, 2012. The Queen is on a two-day visit to northwest England. Reuters
Britain039s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip watch a dancer during a visit to the Chester Zoo in northern England
Britain's Queen Elizabeth (R) and Prince Philip (L) watch a dancer during a visit to the Chester Zoo in Chester, northern England May 17, 2012. The Queen is on a two-day visit to northwest England. Reuters
Britain039s Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip cruise around Liverpool039s Albert Dock on a converted amphibious landing craft.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip cruise on a converted amphibious landing craft now used for sightseeing tours at the Albert Dock in Liverpool, northern England May 17, 2012. The couple are on a two-day visit through northwest England. Reuters
Britain039s Queen Elizabeth watches dancers at the Chester Zoo northern England
Britain's Queen Elizabeth watches dancers at the Chester Zoo in Chester, northern England May 17, 2012. The Queen is on a two-day visit to northwest England. Reuters
Britain039s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip cruise around Liverpool039s Albert Dock on a converted amphibious landing craft
Britain's Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip drive into the Salthouse Dock on a converted amphibious landing craft now used for sightseeing tours in Liverpool, northern England May 17, 2012. The couple are on a two-day visit through northwest England. Reuters