NEWS that the Queen is to visit York Minster has been welcomed by church and civic leaders.

As revealed on this website this morning, the Queen will distribute the Royal Maundy at the Minster on April 5.

The Dean of York, the Very Reverend Keith Jones, said staff at the cathedral were ‘thrilled’ the Queen had chosen to perform the annual ceremony there in her Diamond Jubilee Year.

“The Queen has asked that representatives from all over the United Kingdom should be included in the Royal Maundy this year, alongside the recipients from the Diocese of York, and there will be a special air of thanksgiving for her long reign,” said the Dean, who retires just weeks after the service on Thursday, April 5.

“There is so much excitement centered on London this year that it’s great that York will once again be the place for this Royal and beautiful ceremony.”

The last time the Queen distributed the Royal Maundy in York was in 1972, and he said: “This year Her Majesty’s visit also coincides with the 800th anniversary of the granting of the City of York’s charter, which adds to our delight.”

The Lord Mayor, Coun David Horton, said he was ‘honoured and delighted’ the Queen would be coming in such an important year, both for her personally and for the city.

“York has a long association with the British monarchy and I’m sure residents will provide a fitting welcome for the Queen,” he said.

The monarch is expected to enter the city in traditional fashion at Micklegate Bar, where she will be greeted by the Lord Mayor and York’s first female town clerk - council chief executive Kersten England - before going to the Minster for the service.

York council leader James Alexander said he was ‘delighted and honoured’ the Queen had chosen to visit York in her Diamond Jubilee year and both York's MPs, Hugh Bayley and Julian Sturdy, also welcomed the news.

April's visit will be the Queen's first to York since Royal Ascot in 2005.