Queen's Surprise Visit To Portsmouth!

Shoppers at in Portsmouth were taken by surprise when the Queen popped in to have lunch on board a luxury yacht.

It is understood the Queen made the unannounced visit to Gunwharf Quays yesterday, to have lunch with NCP car park boss Sir Donald Gosling on board his yacht, Leander.

A small crowd gathered to greet the Queen as word of her visit spread around the waterfront shopping centre.

The Queen arrived in Southsea by helicopter and was taken by a green Range Rover to Gunwharf Quays.

Wearing a pink coat and headscarf, the Queen waved to the crowds before going aboard the 245ft yacht.

A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said that she could not confirm details of the visit as it was a ''private engagement''.

The Queen previously visited Gunwharf Quays in 2002 as part of her golden jubilee tour.