The Queen joins David Cameron in the first cabinet meeting

THE Queen joined David Cameron today to become the first monarch to attend a Cabinet meeting since the 18th century.

The Queen, dressed in royal blue was welcomed by the Prime Minister outside Downing Street as she arrived fo the meeting.

She took a seat between Mr Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague for the weekly discussion of Government business.

Mr Cameron congratulated her on her "fantastic" Diamond Jubilee year and said the last monarch to visit the Cabinet was believed to have been George III in 1781.

Cabinet ministers stood around the table while the Queen was shown into the room by Mr Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

After waiting for the Queen to take her seat, the Cabinet followed suit and the Prime Minister offered her a "very warm welcome".

"On behalf of everyone, I would like to congratulate you on a fantastic jubilee year," he said.

The Queen, who did not speak during opening remarks, was wearing a Stewart Parvin royal blue wool dress and matching coat, and a sapphire and diamond broach.

The last monarch to meet with the Cabinet was George VI during the Second World War but Mr Cameron explained that a monarch had not come to the Cabinet since 1781.

He said: "We think the last time a monarch came to the Cabinet during the American War of Independence.
"But I'm happy to report that relations have improved slightly since then."

After his initial remarks, the Prime Minister said they would get on with a "proper Cabinet agenda" starting with an update on parliamentary business by the Chief Whip, Sir George Young.