Crossrail to be named the Elizabeth Line in honour of the Queen

(Getty Images)

Crossrail is to be named the Elizabeth Line in a tribute to the monarch.

The new name was unveiled as the Queen visited Bond Street Station, the London Evening Standard revealed.

She was accompanied by Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

When plans for the new route were first revealed, Mr Johnson said that it would honour the monarch in some way but the precise name had yet to be decided.

It has also been revealed that the Elizabeth Line will have a royal purple colour theme in honour of the monarch.

Crossrail is Europe's biggest infrastructure project (Getty)

Speaking at today’s launch, Mr Johnson said: “Queen Elizabeth has given extraordinary service to this country over an unprecedented period and it is entirely right that she should be honoured with a living tribute that will last."

News of the new name has divided public opinion.

Once running, it is expected that the Elizabeth Line will carry around 200 million passengers per year.

It is understood that the first section will open next May between Liverpool Street and Shenfield in Essex and be known as Crossrail. Once trains start running through central London in December 2018, the route will officially take the name The Elizabeth Line.

Her Majesty became the first reigning monarch to ride the London Underground when she opened the Victoria line in 1969.

The Jubilee line was opened in 1977 by Prince Charles to march his mother's 25 year reign.