The Queen will perform the opening of the Sage Gateshead

She will be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh on their first visit to the region since their Golden Jubilee tour in 2002.

The ceremony will take place on 28 April although the music venue opened its doors to the public in December.

Nigel Sherlock, Lord Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear, said he was "delighted" by news of the royal visit.

He said: "I am delighted that they agreed to return to the region to see for themselves the exciting and vibrant changes that are taking place in the area."

Since open the venue has staged 200 performances and welcomed more than 190,000 visitors through its doors.

Last month it was in the spotlight when it hosted the Labour party spring conference.

Anthony Sargent, general director of the music centre, said staff were honoured the Queen had accepted the invitation to perform the opening.