Queen 'snubs' sick Kirsty

The Queen was criticised last night after some television viewers claimed she appeared to 'ignore' terminally-ill Kirsty Howard.

The six-year-old, who suffers from a heart condition, had been chosen to hand her the official baton at the Games opening ceremony, alongside David Beckham.

Kirsty's condition meant she could not climb the stairs to the Royal Box so the Queen walked down to meet her instead.

After receiving the baton, and in a moment not captured by the television cameras, the Queen briefly thanked the little girl then returned to her seat.

Some viewers, however, felt she could have expressed more warmth to the child.

The Daily Mail received more than a dozen calls last night from concerned readers.

Nurse Janice Brieley, 55, said: 'Kirsty has got so much courage and it took a lot for her to go up on the stage with her oxygen tank trailing behind her.

'She handed the baton over but the Queen did nothing. It looked like she just ignored Kirsty and David Beckham who was stood with her.' Mrs Brierley, from Allestree, Derbyshire, added: 'I thought the Queen was very cold towards Kirsty. It was as though she thought she shouldn't have to come into contact with poorly people like her.'

Patrick Feeney, 71, from Cambourne, Cambridge, was also ' disgusted' by the way the Queen greeted the youngster.

Mr Feeney said: 'I expected her to kneel down to the little girl and say something to her just like Princess Diana used to do.'

Ceremony organisers were surprised at the criticism, pointing out that this was the one part of the proceedings which was not rehearsed.

'The Palace had been very engaged in the whole thing and the Queen was very keen to meet Kirsty which is why she broke with protocol to come down to meet her,' said David Zolkwer, artistic director.

'I think she was as overwhelmed as everyone by the whole event.'

Photographers close to the Queen pointed out that the glare of the camera lights in her face and the height angles could have made it difficult for her to see precisely what was going on as the baton was handed to her.