Queen relaunches repaired Cutty Sark

The world’s last remaining tea clipper has been restored to her heyday when she carried goods from around the globe back to England.

More than half a century since the Queen first opened the maritime attraction to the public, she returned yesterday to repeat the ceremony but for a Cutty Sark now in a dramatic new setting.

Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, who co-founded the Cutty Sark Society in 1951 to safeguard the vessel, the Queen was shown how original artefacts are being displayed in interactive new ways, meeting many of those involved in the restoration and unveiling a plaque ahead of its official public opening today .

Richard Doughty, director of the Cutty Sark Trust, described the vessel as “spectacular” and added: “We have a ship fit for the Queen and we’re very proud Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh have come to open the site.

“Fifty-five years on from when she first came, it’s a very different experience, offering a light environment in the Cutty Sark’s new elevated position.”

The clipper is now displayed in a stunning setting, lifted more than 11ft (3.4m) above its dry berth in Greenwich, south east London.

Underneath is an interactive museum where visitors can learn about its history

When the fire, caused by a vacuum cleaner, struck in 2007 most of the fixtures and fittings had been removed for a major renovation project, so visitors can see many original features on deck.

The royal couple also braved heavy rain and driving winds to name a spectacular million-pound row barge built to mark the Jubilee.

They descended a gangway at Greenland Pier on the Thames in London’s Docklands before going on board the 94ft Gloriana, which will be a star attraction in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant early in June.