The Queen tries out 3D glasses to open nuclear research plant

But Her Majesty, who joined Facebook earlier this month, was wearing the shades to virtually pilot a digger and start building work on a nuclear research centre.

She used a joystick to operate the machine from inside a portable building while the "real" digger cut the ground for the state-of-the-art facility about 200m away.

The Queen performed the virtual ceremony as she toured the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing alongside the Duke of Edinburgh, as part of the Royals' visit to the region.

The Nuclear AMRC is a collaboration between Sheffield and Manchester universities and the new building is scheduled for completion in Autumn 2011.

It is backed by the Government and leading companies involved in building a new generation of civil nuclear power stations.

Those behind the project believe it will help UK companies become global leaders in the production of components and systems for new nuclear power stations.

During their tour, the Queen and the duke spoke to staff at the centre including a number of apprentices.

Boeing apprentice Stephen Tyas, 19, said: "She asked what it was like to be an apprentice. She asked a lot of questions and seemed very interested."

Professor Keith Ridgway, the centre's founder and research director, said: "We are very proud to welcome Her Majesty to the AMRC at this very exciting time.

"Over the past decade, the AMRC with Boeing has supported hundreds of manufacturing businesses and helped make sure that British engineering know how can compete with the world's best."