Queen removes shoes for visit to temple

From the archive, first published Thursday 24th May 2007.

Even the Queen was not exempt from taking off her shoes at a £3 million Hindu Temple she opened in Bradford today.

Her Majesty swapped her black patent shoes for white pumps as she entered the prayer room at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Leeds Road.

Dozens of people lined the entrance to the site while hundreds of worshippers and dignitaries welcomed her and the Duke of Edinburgh. Two children presented the Queen with bouquets.

Nine-year-old Disha Joshi, who attends Bronte House School, was told by the Queen that the flowers were lovely.

Seven-year-old Aabeesha Khan, of St Mary's and St Peter's Roman Catholic School, also presented a bouquet.

The Queen wore a garland with purple flowers and pink roses as traditional Hindu music was played and incense burned.

Her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, was pre-sented with a garland of yellow flowers.

The Queen officially unveiled a plaque opening the Temple, which is set to open for worshippers in July.