2 July 2002: The Queen celebrates the face of today's West Midlands with a visit to a new shopping centre and a multi-million pound science and technology centre  The Queen paid tribute to the special flair of the West Midlands for industry and innovation during a busy day of engagements in Solihull and Birmingham on Tuesday, 2 July 2002. The Royal party saw at first hand some of the projects which are creating new opportunities and activities in the industrial heart of England. The Queen and Prince Philip arrived in the morning by Royal Train at Solihull railway station. From there they travelled by car to the new Touchwood Shopping Centre, travelling through a sea of red, white and blue flags held by 20,000 bystanders. Inside the Touchwood Centre, crowds gathered to line the route as The Queen stopped to accept flowers from well-wishers. Touring the complex, The Queen met some 80 people connected with the planning, construction and running of the centre, including staff at Touchwood's flagship department store. The Royal party then braved a summer rain shower to open the new Jubilee Gardens outside the Touchwood Centre. The Queen unveiled a plaque to open the gardens, which have been specially dedicated to mark The Queen's 50th year on the throne. Local school children provided entertainment in the form of singing, accompanied by the Solihull Youth Wind Band. From Solihull The Queen and Prince Philip travelled to Digbeth, Birmingham, to visit the city's brand new £114 million science and technology centre, Millennium Point. In the building, which is the size of six international football pitches, The Queen and Prince Philip visited Thinktank, Birmingham's new museum of science and discovery. Exhibitions which The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh viewed included a working silversmith, and displays of 'Kids in the city' and locomotion, including a steam train. The Queen went on to visit the Young People's Parliament. In the Parliament The Queen heard local schoolchildren discussing "Made in Brum" - a debate on what it is like to come from Birmingham. The Queen met some of those taking part. The Duke of Edinburgh meanwhile visited Thinktank and the Technology Innovation Centre. There he encountered a robot security guard named Victoria, which was programmed to shake his hand. Having met up with Prince Philip again, The Queen went on to open Millennium Point by unveiling a plaque. Before a luncheon held in the science centre, The Queen made a speech in which she paid tribute to the special nature of the region, including its heritage of innovation and vitality. "On my visits to the West Midlands I am always struck by the vitality of the traditions of invention and industriousness. "Of course you are celebrating history here, right down to the nuts and bolts. This region was central to Britain's industrial revolution. "Queen Victoria, when she was a young princess, wrote a vivid passage in her diary the first time that she saw the buildings and landscapes of the West Midlands which bore the marks of coal and steam. "That was in 1832. But as you move on, you use pride in your heritage to embrace change." Signalling the importance of Millennium Point to the city's regeneration, The Queen told her audience: "I have no doubt that you will use this building to inspire the next generation who will shape the technology and industry of tomorrow. And as they do so they take their place in the long, proud tradition of the West Midlands." After lunch The Queen met well-wishers gathered outside in Birmingham's Millennium Square. She then visited the site of the proposed new headquarters of the Royal College of Organists, where she planted a rose tree to mark the college's move to Birmingham. After a short rest, engagements continued in the evening. The Royal party walked through Birmingham's Centenary Square with Birmingham's Lord Mayor - Mahmood Hussain - and Lady Mayoress. On arrival at the Symphony Hall, The Queen and Prince Philip were guests of honour at a gala concert. Participants in a diverse bill were the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Youth Chorus, Birmingham Royal Ballet, City organist Thomas Trotter, gospel singers Nu Life and Asian folk drummers the Dhol Blasters. Read the full text of The Queen's speech in Birmingham (pdf, 144kB) Back to July index