THE day’s festivities began with the crowning of Weymouth’s new carnival queen – Natalie Round.

Architectural technician Miss Round, 25, wiped away a tear of joy as she was declared the winner of this year’s competition by borough Mayor Paul Kimber.

After hugging her attendants, Michaela Frampton and Sally Anne Walker, the new queen was presented with her tiara by last year’s carnival queen Nina Rezaei.

Miss Round said: “It’s really overwhelming and I’m really shocked.

“I didn’t expect this at all.

“Sally and Michaela have been amazing for the last few weeks and we’ve grown really close to each other.

“I feel very honoured to have been chosen and I didn’t see this coming at all.”

Later in the day, the new carnival queen met the Red Devils after they landed on Weymouth beach and appeared in the carnival procession through town.

Weymouth and Portland Mayor Paul Kimber said: “We’ve had an excellent start to the day. This is the biggest day of the year in Weymouth and it’s our way of showing the world we are one of the biggest tourist spots around.”