"THREE cheers for Her Majesty the Queen and the Duchess of Sussex!"

So declared one pupil as 11 Chester primary schools joined in a rousing chorus of 'hip hip hoorays' at the culmination of the Queen and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's visit to the city's Storyhouse cultural hub.

The Queen and Meghan were left beaming following the enthusiastic display by pupils of Kelsall Primary School, University Church Free School, The Queen’s Lower School, Chester Blue Coat CE Primary School, Upton Westlea Primary School, St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, St Werburgh’s R C School, Newton Primary School, Dee Point Primary School, Cherry Grove Primary School and The King’s Junior School.

Video courtesty of Storyhouse

The youngsters and Storyhouse actors had performed Drop in the Ocean, from current stage show Swallows and Amazons.

Afterwards, Cherry Grove Primary pupils said it had been "amazing" and "a special moment", while teacher Jo Smith said "It has been an absolute privilege, the children have been fantastic, I am so proud of them all."

Queen's Lower School music teacher Margaret Corlett said: "The children worked so hard, it was just a fabulous experience."

Posies were presented to Her Majesty and The Duchess by two members of Storyhouse’s Youth Theatre, Lilja Fagan, age seven, of Newton Primary School, and Nye Egan-Simon, six, of Oldfield Primary School.

Video by Mark Dowling

The posies, prepared by Fresh in Hoole, were made up of traditional English country garden blooms, including roses and peonies.

The school performance capped a highly successful royal visit, where the Queen unveiled a plaque to officially open Storyhouse, which has already seen more than one million visitors since it opened last year.

Having arrived in the city and pausing outside to mark a minute's silence in memory of the Grenfell Tower victims one year ago, the Queen and Meghan first saw youngsters from Newton Primary and Ash Grove Farm Nursery taking part in a Storytime session with the Deafness Support Network and PCSO Eva Williams.

PCSO Williams read the popular children’s stories Freddie and the Fairy by Julia Donaldson and The Moonbird by Joyce Dunbar, while Erica Jones from DSN signed using British Sign Language.

But the excitement of the occasion was too much for one youngster, who had fallen asleep when it came to sing 'Wheels on the Bus', an event not unnoticed by Her Majesty.

PCSO Williams said: "It was a really brilliant honour to meet her, especially with the children."

The Queen and Meghan met a Syrian refugee women's group supported by forfutures.

Lamis Almuqdad, who works with the Syrian refugee resettlement programme, said: "It was like a dream come true, I was so happy and excited, it was wonderful for all of us."

Laura-Leigh Thompson of forfutures added: "The Queen was very interested in the group's embroidery, she said they were extremely talented.

"Storyhouse has played a huge role in helping the forfutures Women's Group to bring women together and enable them to feel comfortable in being who they want to be.

"I'm sure the royal visit will be a memory that the ladies will treasure for a very long time.

"We meet at Storyhouse because it provides the space for us to come together in an inclusive atmosphere which means no-one feels excluded."

The Queen and the Duchess of Sussex also saw members of the Fallen Angels Dance Company, an associate company working with people who have struggled with addiction and/or mental health problems.

Group leader Claire Morris said: "We have a group here each Monday from 12-2pm and do performances at Storyhouse telling stories how they overcome addiction.

"It's so hard to overcome adversity and we celebrate their achievements. The Queen remarked about the ages of the group – the youngest is 26 and the oldest is 71, they were almost flabbergasted as the dance performances are very physical."

Fallen Angels Dance Company member Ben Riddell said: "It was absolutely unbelievable, I am truly honoured," while fellow member Kelly Jones said: "It was great to represent a minority group that does not get to be represented very often."

The Queen and the Duchess of Sussex also saw the work of the Digital Buddies; a free IT skills workshop for those over 50, led by young volunteers.

One of the members, Sarah Christian, said: "The Queen said how much easier it was to swipe through old photos digitally."

Alan Smith, project officer for Digital Buddies, added: "Every Friday morning since 2017 Digital Buddies has facilitated digital help for the over 50s and been meeting in Storyhouse.

"Initially a six-week project, the sessions have become a place for younger and older people to learn and impart digital skills, as well as a social hub.

"The use of the meeting room at Storyhouse has enabled us to grow. It is fantastic that Storyhouse has been recognised."

The royal duo also saw the Storyhouse Young Leaders – local young people aged 14-25 who work across the organisation to develop new skills – and the Improv Gym, a weekly drama workshop for the over 50s.

In the theatre, Storyhouse’s repertory company performed a medley of songs from their latest critically acclaimed production, A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim. Songs included The Miller’s Son and A Weekend in the Country.

The audience in the theatre included Storyhouse’s volunteers, staff, representatives from Cheshire West and Chester council, Arts Council England, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the University of Chester, and members of the design and build team of Storyhouse including architects Bennetts Associates. Plus, community groups Brightlife, Canal Street Day Centre Service Users, Chester Adult Phab and Storyhouse’s charity partner, Passion for Learning.

Andrew Bentley, chief executive of Storyhouse said: “This amazing visit was made possible by the tremendous support we have in Chester and in the region and is testament to the degree to which our community has taken us to their hearts and for that we are immensely grateful and proud.”

Alex Clifton, artistic director of Storyhouse, said “It’s a great honour to introduce our royal guests to so many of the wonderful communities we host here at Storyhouse.”

Una Meehan, senior lecturer in drama and creativity, said: "For me it was a real testament to see the culture and community featuring all members of society, including older people and the more vulnerable. It has been a very special and momentous day."

Chester resident and Storyhouse regular Jade Palmer, who was with her family to watch A Little Night Music, said: "Storyhouse is so fantastic for our city. From the second the build started, as a local resident, I have felt part of its journey.

"The engagements of the staff at Storyhouse has been incredible.

"Now that the building is open, we come here two to three times a week; we watch performances, we read books to our son in the library and we enjoy the baby classes.

"I am just so pleased that the Queen and Meghan got to experience our amazing Storyhouse and our amazing city."