LIVE BLOG: The Queen opens restored Cutty Sark

The iconic tea clipper is officially being opened by both Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh today and will open to the public from tomorrow.

News Shopper is covering this momentous occasion with a live blog bringing you news, pictures and opinion as it happens.

View our picture gallery of the reopening of the Cutty Sark by Her Majesty the Queen

Read our full report on the Queen's visit to Greenwich

12.45pm Big cheers for Her Majesty as she arrives at the National Maritime Museum. She will be opening the Royal River exhibition.

12.24pm There is a far smaller crowd gathered at the museum so worth popping down if you didn't get to see much earlier.

12.15pm The Queen will be met at the National Maritime Museum by the Royal Hospital School marching band in front of the new Ship in a Bottle exhibit.

Comment from the crowd - Marian Lucas, 78, said: "It was just wonderful. I just had to come and see her and the Cutty Sark."

12.01pm The King's Troop head through Greeenwich

Email your pictures and videos to jross@london.newsquest.co.uk and we'll add them to the live blog.

11:53 The royal couple's next appearance will be when they open the new National Maritime Museum exhibition shortly.

11.45am Her Majesty has unveiled a plaque to mark the reopening as someone from the crowd shouts "Queenie".

The party are now heading towards the Cutty Sark.

11.40 Leader of Greenwich Council, Councillor Chris Roberts, said: "The designation of Royal Borough status on Greenwich has been met with tremendous pride and celebration."

11.36am The Queen takes her seat on the stage. She appears to be tapping her feet - possibly trying to keep warm. The rain is starting to ease off now.

11.29am The Queen steps out dressed in red.

11.28am The trumpets have started and the royal car arrives to cheers from the crowd.

11.23am Upon the Queen's arrival trumpets will herald her arrival and primary school children will sing a suite entitled Diamond Greenwich.

11.11am Mayor of Greenwich, Councillor Jim Gillman, has greeted some of the children holding Union Flags as Land of Hope and Glory plays in the background.

11.02am Local councillors have started to take their soaking wet seats. Also spotted Eltham MP Clive Efford.

10.52am Expectant crowds waiting in the rain

10.40am The Cutty Sark Crew are braving the weather conditions and have climbed the clipper's rigging while flag-waving crowds are treated to music from Trinity Laban Conservatoire's orchestra.

9.50am News Shopper reporter Mark Chandler has arrived at the scene. Unfortunately the rain continues to fall but that hasn't dampened spirits as crowds are already starting to form.

7.40am It's been an eventful week for Greenwich. Click here to read the full story of what's been happening in the borough.