Borehamwood: The very different worlds of EastEnders and Royalty came together, when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited the soap's set in Borehamwood.

Actress Barbara Windsor, who plays Peggy Butcher, escorted the Queen on her first-ever tour of the set, at the B B C Elstree Centre, while Wendy Richard, who plays Pauline Fowler, accompanied the Duke.

The actresses were joined by Hertsmere's Mayor Bill Hogan and MP James Clappison, and other dignitaries, to welcome the Royal couple on their arrival, just before 11am.

The Queen, also accompanied by the B B C's head of drama series Mal Young, toured Albert Square's market, where she spoke to actors Todd Carty, who plays Mark Fowler, and James Alexandrou, who is Martin Fowler.

She then met EastEnders' newest family, the Truemans; visited the costume and make up section, where she spoke to June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton; watched a scene being filmed in The Queen Vic pub and, finally, met a line-up of crew and cast.

The Queen accepted an invitation to go behind the bar by Ms Windsor, who said later: "I was a bit embarrassed because I had not swept up. She came behind the bar and there were all the old bottle tops and stale beer from a scene we filmed yesterday. I think she was amazed it was so small."

The Duke was also interested in the bar, commenting that "nothing useful" came out of the pumps, to which Ms Richard replied: "The Guinness is real, but the rest is that near-beer stuff."

In the Vic, the Queen and Duke also watched the filming of an Evans' family scene, to be screened in January, and met actors including: Michael Greco, who plays Beppe di Marco, Tamzin Outhwaite, who plays Melanie Owen, Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater, Tony Caunter, who plays Roy Evans and Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale.

Pam St Clement, who plays Pat Evans, said: "It was a great honour to be asked to do the scene."

Ms Windsor said of the Queen's visit: "It was wonderful I was so nervous, but she was great and made one feel very comfortable.

"I know she is not an EastEnders fan, but it is lovely she is here."

The actress, who wore a red suit and matching red leather boots, added: "The first thing she said when I met her was: 'You have got more clothes on today'."

Actor Todd Carty said: "It has been a buzz and it is a complement to the programme - I will be back to selling my strawberries tomorrow."

Escorted by EastEnders executive producer John Yorke, the Duke's activities included viewing the soap's website facilities and meeting actors Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, Ricky Groves, who plays Garry Hobbs, and Jack Ryder, who plays Jamie Mitchell, at Mitchell's Autos.

Councillor Hogan said: "The Queen and Duke were magnificent, and the visit was good for the borough, especially Borehamwood.

"I was talking to Barbara Windsor about going to have a pint in her bar."

It is understood the Queen watched a few episodes of the soap prior to her visit, which, unlike her visit to Coronation Street, will not form part of the story-line.

The hour-long visit was the first of several engagements, on the theme of broadcasting, with the Royal couple also due to visit ITN, Blue Peter, CNN,

Classic FM, and the B B C World Service in London, before hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace.

The last royal visit to the B B C Elstree Centre, in Clarendon Road, was in 1986 by Princess Diana.

November 28, 2001 18:30