A bad back meant Queen Elizabeth II was unable to appear at the new home of the North London club and Prince Philip went instead.

Captain Thierry Henry, manager Arsenal Wenger, the club board and other staff at the Premiership club will will tour the State Apartments, before meeting the Queen.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The Queen was disappointed about not being able to officially open the new Arsenal stadium due to her back strain, especially as so much effort had been put in by so many people behind the scenes.

"Her Majesty therefore decided to host a tea at Buckingham Palace to thank those involved in the project for all their hard work and to have a chance to meet some of those she would have seen on the day."

Highbury stadium had hosted Arsenal games for 93 years till they moved to their new stadium in the pre-season.