This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7081809.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Queen opens new £800m St Pancras Queen opens new £800m St Pancras
(20 minutes later)
The official opening of London's St Pancras Station is under way after the station's £800m transformation. The Queen has opened a transformed St Pancras station and new Channel Tunnel rail terminal for Eurostar.
The Queen is leading the ceremony with another 1,500 VIPs as guests.
Developer London & Continental Railways said St Pancras was the jewel in the crown of a £5.8bn project to bring high speed rail to the UK.Developer London & Continental Railways said St Pancras was the jewel in the crown of a £5.8bn project to bring high speed rail to the UK.
St Pancras will eventually house Eurostar, high-speed domestic services to Kent, Midland Mainline, Thameslink and six Tube lines. St Pancras will house high-speed services to Kent, Midland Mainline, Thameslink and six Tube lines.
Her Majesty will be introduced to those who have transformed the late-Victorian building into a 21st Century terminal.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen was greeted by several dignitaries at the station.
Video historyVideo history
The evening ceremony will involve three trains arriving at St Pancras and their drivers meeting the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. The 68-mile railway line, known as High Speed 1 (HS1), runs from St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel opening at Folkestone, in Kent.
Her Majesty will also be introduced to those who have transformed the late-Victorian building into a 21st Century terminal. The evening ceremony will be compered by actor Timothy West playing St Pancras' designer William Barlow, who will retrace the station's history with a sound and light show.
A suspended giant screen will show a video about the history of the station and the high speed rail project featuring F1 driver David Coulthard. The ceremony will involve three trains arriving at St Pancras and their drivers meeting the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
A suspended giant screen will show a video about the high speed rail project featuring F1 driver David Coulthard.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and pop singer Lemar will be providing some of the musical entertainment.The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and pop singer Lemar will be providing some of the musical entertainment.
Work on the station began in 2001 to enable it to accommodate domestic rail services and Eurostar trains to and from France and Belgium.Work on the station began in 2001 to enable it to accommodate domestic rail services and Eurostar trains to and from France and Belgium.
Dirt removedDirt removed
As part of its refurbishment, the station has been fitted with state-of-the-art technology including Wifi, touch-screen monitors and passenger information screens in all 60 retail units.As part of its refurbishment, the station has been fitted with state-of-the-art technology including Wifi, touch-screen monitors and passenger information screens in all 60 retail units.
The 68-mile railway line, known as High Speed 1 (HS1), runs from St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel opening at Folkestone, in Kent.
More than 150 years of dirt has been removed from the brick work and a new roof has been fitted with 18,000 panes of self-cleaning glass.More than 150 years of dirt has been removed from the brick work and a new roof has been fitted with 18,000 panes of self-cleaning glass.
The front of the station, Sir George Gilbert Scott's neo-Gothic building, will open as a five-star hotel in 2009.The front of the station, Sir George Gilbert Scott's neo-Gothic building, will open as a five-star hotel in 2009.
Eurostar is switching its terminal from Waterloo station to St Pancras and will be offering quicker journey times on services from London to Paris and Brussels.Eurostar is switching its terminal from Waterloo station to St Pancras and will be offering quicker journey times on services from London to Paris and Brussels.