The new Channel Tunnel rail terminal at St Pancras station received royal approval last night when it was officially opened by the Queen.

She not only opened St Pancras International in London, home to Eurostar's new terminal, but also launched the finally-completed £5.8 billion Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Known as High Speed 1, the 68-mile link runs from St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel opening at Folkestone, Kent.

Arriving by car at the Hotel Arch, St Pancras station, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen was greeted by dignitaries including the Prime Minister, London mayor Ken Livingstone, Conservative leader David Cameron, mayor of Camden Dawn Somper, and Sir David Cooksey, chairman of London and Continental Railways.

Making her way inside the station, she stopped to look at a new 23ft tall, four-tonne sculpture, and meet the artist, British sculptor Paul Day.

Entitled Meeting Place, the bronze statue, which stands over the station's platforms under the famous Dent clock, depicts a young couple embracing.

The royal party took their seats on specially-built platforms inside the station, to watch a musical and film show.

The show featured a performance by stage and screen actor Timothy West, appearing in Victorian costume as William Henry Barlow, the original architect of St Pancras station, and music by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

The ceremony also saw three trains arriving to the music and the Queen give a short speech.