(Getty Images)
An emotional Queen Elizabeth II yesterday laid a wreath at Ground Zero and addressed the United Nations as she made her first visit to New York City in nearly 35 years.
Her Royal Highness shook hands and briefly talked with relatives of 9/11 victims after she laid a wreath of peonies, roses and lilies on a wooden riser near the footprint of the World Trade Center’s south tower.
“She’s a really nice lady, and for a two-minute conversation, it was very meaningful,” said Nile Berry, 17, whose father, David, a security analyst, was killed during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
PHOTOS: QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS NEW YORK
Nile met the queen’s grandson in the same spot nearly a year ago when Prince Harry visited Ground Zero.
“Harry’s hair was really memorable,” he said. “But the queen’s the queen.”
The 84-year-old monarch braved the heat in a floral-print matching jacket and skirt accented by white gloves, and black patent-leather shoes that matched her purse.
She arrived 15 minutes early to the World Trade Center, where she greeted dignitaries including Mayor Bloomberg, Gov. Paterson and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
After receiving a bouquet of flowers from one of Christie’s daughters, she shook hands with 9/11 families and first responders.
“I was so hot and drowning in sweat, and she looked beautiful,” said Katie Lannon, 20, of Howell, NJ, whose father, John, a Port Authority cop, was killed on 9/11.
The queen, accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, started her five-hour whirlwind tour at the United Nations, where she addressed the General Assembly for the first time since her first appearance there 53 years ago.
“When people in 53 years from now look back on us, they will doubtless view many of our practices as old-fashioned,” the queen said.
“But it is my hope that, when judged by future generations, our willingness to take a lead . . . will stand the test of time.”
She said the United Nations would continue to face the challenges of “terrorism” and “climate change.”
She was at the world body as queen of 16 states and head of the British Commonwealth.
The queen ended the day by formally opening the British Memorial Garden at Hanover Square in lower Manhattan, dedicated to the 67 British victims of 9/11.
Amazingly, she never appeared to perspire in the 103-degree heat.
“She wasn’t sweaty at all,” Nile said. “I think it’s something about being royalty. It was tough. We had to stand in the sun for 20 minutes.”