The Queen views redevelopment from a river cruise boat

The Queen's first engagement was to officially open the new �30m Laganside court complex.

On arrival, she was greeted by Northern Ireland's Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell, Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast Lady Carswell and Sheriff of Belfast Margaret Clarke.

The Queen and Prince Philip met court staff, members of the judiciary and legal profession, as well as representatives of victims' groups.

After unveiling a plaque to commemorate the opening of the courts complex, nine-year-old Helen Lavery presented the Queen with a posy.

Cruise

Later on Wednesday, the Queen took a pleasure boat cruise down the river Lagan, where she was shown the economic regeneration of the waterfront area in Belfast.

She was on her first full day public engagement since undergoing an operation on her knee last month, and was walking with the aid of a stick.

The Queen was last in Northern Ireland in May last year

Before boarding the cruise boat, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were given a tour of the Lagan Lookout visitors centre.

The Queen and Duke disembarked at the Ravenhill jetty in south east Belfast and were driven by car to the next engagement at a call centre in the Markets area of the city.

The �45m Halifax Bank of Scotland call centre building was constructed as part of the regeneration of the waterfront in Belfast.

Charities

On arrival, the Queen and Prince Philip were again greeted by Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast Lady Carswell.

They were then introduced to Northern Ireland Office minister Ian Pearson, DETINI permanent secretary Bruce Robinson and several call centre managers.

The Queen was shown around the building, meeting some staff members at their workstations.

At the same time, Prince Philip was introduced to some young people who had completed the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

The Royal couple joined up again in the building to meet representatives of the charities, Help the Aged and Action Cancer.

This was the final Royal engagement of the visit.

The Queen unveiled a plaque to commemorate the complex opening

The Queen was last in Northern Ireland in May 2002 as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations.

She and Prince Philip visited the now suspended Northern Ireland Assembly, the first time the couple had been to Stormont in almost 50 years.

The Queen told politicians that the assembly offered the opportunity to build trust and a new Northern Ireland.

She met representatives of all the parties, with the exception of Sinn Fein during her visit to Stormont.

The Queen presented charters conferring city status to Lisburn and Newry.

She also visited the site of a terrorist bomb which killed 29 people at Omagh in County Tyrone.