The queen enjoyed afternoon tea with more than 3,000 people in a fun-filled event at Harewood House.

A grand parade involving thousands of performers entertained the queen last Thursday on the grounds.

More than 3,500 people were invited to the event, they had been specially selected for their work in the community.

A celebrity line up introduced the queen to 50 years of Yorkshire history, from the creation of the Jowett Jupiter racing car to local entertainers.

Four medieval knights from the Royal Armouries Museum guarded Her Majesty whilst she was seated on a special throne, circled by guests as thousands of people performed a spectacular festival for her.

The theme was 50 years of Yorkshire history and narrated by former House of Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd, maypole dancers, circus acts and the Leeds West Indian Carnival glided along.

Baroness Boothroyd was brought in to the grounds on a horse drawn Joshua Tetley cart to set the scene of traditional Yorkshire.

The Bradford Kala Sangam dancers performed on podiums for the queen and the extravagant costumes and feathers worn by the Leeds West Indian Carnival provided a real festival atmosphere.

Countdown host Richard Whiteley was given his own cameo role in the event playing Lord Harewood's butler pretending to put out the milk bottles.

The Burley Woodhead resident said: "The Queen was terrific, she looked wonderful. It was a great day and I was delighted to be a part of it.

"It was fun performing in front of her."

Former Spice Girl Mel B leant out of one of the windows and told the crowd her memories of growing up in Leeds and her pride at being a Yorkshire lass.

This was followed by a recitement from Shakespeare's Richard the Second by Full Monty star Mark Addy standing on the roof of the house.

Music was played throughout by the West Yorkshire Police Band, the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Swing Band, the Mathew Murray Steel Band and the Combined Youth and Junior Brass and Concert Bands.

Celebrities included Terry Venables, former Yorkshire cricketers Bob Appleyard, Brian Close, Fred Trueman and Don Wilson and opera star Lesley Garrett.

At the end of the parade everyone stood and faced the queen and all that could be heard was the sound of voices echoing around the gardens as the event ended with the National Anthem.

Flag waving, courtesies and cheers followed as the queen stood and walked along the red carpet to her Bentley.

Before leaving she said: "Yorkshire has produced great modern arts, some of the worlds best cricketers and also a House of Commons speaker.

"Yorkshire is an extremely diverse region, with its ethnic diversity, over the last 50 years it has been at the forefront of change.

"We are very grateful for all these people who have taken part in this event. It is a very great pleasure for me to be here."

The queen spoke to Trevor Nichols, who has been the head gardener at Harewood House for seven years.

He said: "I feel very honoured that she spoke to me. She said that I must have a job on getting all the clipping done. It was nice of her to acknowledge the people's endeavours."

Harewood's special conservation surveyor Richard Dunn also spoke with the Queen.

He said: "I was very honoured to meet her like everyone else. It is just such an honour after all the work people have done here at Harewood.

"Everyone works hard here and it is nice that royalty has come here to enjoy it."