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Royals unveil a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the building

Queen Elizabeth II with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick (right) during the opening of the new Metropolitan Police headquarters

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, has for a second time officially opened New Scotland Yard.

Close to the founding location of the Metropolitan Police, the building has undergone a full refit and security upgrade.

The glass pavilion now provides a more transparent entrance to the building with the spinning sign taking pride of place on the embankment of the Thames.

The force says the new building has been designed by world renowned architects and engineers after a competition to find the most suitable and financially viable proposal for the building.

As part of the biggest programme of transformation in the Met's history, including the sale of the outdated New Scotland Yard for £370m, the force claims it will help to modernise and streamline London's police service.

Additionally it will save money, keep officer numbers high and equip them with the latest technology to enable them to be more effective, more mobile and more accountable.

The relocation to the slimmed down new premises on the Victoria Embankment will save an additional £6m a year in running costs.

Upon arrival, The Queen and The Duke were greeted by Commissioner Cressida Dick and Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey.

They viewed a display of vintage Met Police vehicles and a selection of historical items from the Met’s archive, including a WWII uniform of a female PC and an operational order for the Coronation.

The Met's headquarters in 1890

After peering over plans of the new building Her Majesty and His Royal Highness watched a demonstration of a bomb disposal robot by MPS Explosives Officers.

The Queen and Prince Philip then moved to the 8th floor of the building, where they met officers and staff from across the organisation, demonstrating "A day in the life of the Met".

The group included search dogs and staff in operational roles - including a dog handler, forensic specialist and a special constable, who were able to show Her Majesty and His Royal Highness some of the different tools they use to do their jobs.

During their visit The Queen and The Duke attended a brief reception for staff, bravery award winners, officers and partner organisations.

The Queen then unveiled a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the building, and received a posy from Met Barking & Dagenham Junior Cadet of the Year Amy Harvey before departing.

Fifty years ago, The Queen, accompanied by The Duke opened New Scotland Yard in ‘Broadway’ with then Commissioner Joseph Simpson.

During the visit of ’67 Her Majesty unveiled a newly commissioned Coat of Arms incorporating the Royal Insignia and handed over the Standard of the Metropolitan Police to a Bearer party.

Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, said: “On behalf of the Met I am very grateful to Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh for opening our new headquarters today.

“Of course, this event was originally planned for the day after the terrible Westminster attacks. Since then London has had to cope with a number of tragic events and we appreciate the support of many, including the Royal Family, during these difficult times.

“We are so pleased to be able to celebrate an important moment in the Metropolitan Police’s history today with The Queen and Prince Philip. This new building, in the heart of Westminster and close to the Met’s founding location, incorporates the proud past, present and future of policing in the Capital.”

Deputy Mayor Sophie Linden said: “Today is a special day for the Metropolitan Police Service, which has been protecting our capital city since 1829, working tirelessly every day to keep Londoners safe. The force steps into a new headquarters, just as a new Commissioner takes the reins.

“The new location for New Scotland Yard, which began life as an annex to the original New Scotland Yard in the 1930s, returns the Met to the heart of Westminster in a slimmed-down, more streamlined, more efficient and better-resourced building fit for the 21st century. It is a fitting home for our world-renowned police service, and I hope it will serve the Met well for many years to come.”

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “Officers and staff from the Metropolitan Police do absolutely essential work every day keeping Londoners safe and our capital city secure, with bravery and professionalism.

“These modern and well-designed facilities will help support our officers as they continue to tackle the changing nature of crime in our society, now and in the future. I was delighted to visit New Scotland Yard and see it officially opened today.”

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