Her Majesty stopped to chat to Network Rail workers and local politicians and dignitaries during a whistle-stop tour of the sparkling new facility, before naming a train after the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Thousands flocked to the station under scorching sunshine to catch a glimpse of the monarch, who was resplendent in a turquoise outfit.
Mark Hopwood, managing director of First Great Western said: "This is a huge day for us here at First Great Western, a great deal of effort over the last four or five years has gone in from staff members at Network Rail and First Great Western to make this happen.
"The Queen's presence shows just how important rail travel is to the country and just how important Reading Station is to the national network."
Her Majesty arrived in a first class carriage of the 10.45am from Paddington to Swansea and made her way across the cavernous pedestrian bridge, before unveiling a giant plaque to commemorate the visit.
She met meeting railway workers for a photo opportunity and was then handed posies by three young schoolchildren whose parents worked on the redevelopment and enthusiastic members of the crowd.
She then left in a giant, bullet-proof Land Rover.
» Gallery: The Queen officially opens the �895m revamp of Reading Station
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