Posted in Duke of Edinburgh, President Bush, Prince Philip, The Queen, Windsor Castle on June 15th, 2008
President Bush and his wife, Laura, have arrived at Windsor Castle for afternoon tea with the Queen.
Marine 1, the Presidential helicopter, lands at Windsor Castle
The visit is the final leg of the European tour to mark the ending of George Bush’s term as President of the United States.
Tonight they will dine with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street in London.
President Bush and First Lady greeted at Windsor Castle
The Presidential couple will spend a day and a half in Britain, mainly saying their goodbyes but also fitting in some business meetings too, especially with Brown.
Posted in Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, Prince Philip, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Anne, The Queen, Trooping the Colour on June 14th, 2008
Another year, another Trooping the Colour.
The Queen and Prince Philip arrive at Horse Guards Parade
The splendid event is held on a Saturday in June each year to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday — her real one is in April.
As always, the BBC showed what a superb occasion it is with Huw Edwards describing the nuances and history in minute detail. He even had an exclusive interview with Prince Charles in full red and gold ceremonial dress.
Traditionally, the Queen processed down the Mall on horseback, riding an elegant sidesaddle. However, as age closed in and with the retirement of her faithful mount, Burma, she decided that a carriage would be more appropriate. The carriage itself has a lot of history behind it. It is Queen Victoria’s Ivory-Mounted Phaeton, first used in the 1840s.
Princes William and Harry and the Duchess of Cornwall
Prince William and Prince Harry arrived in a carriage together with the Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Charles rode down the Mall on horseback together with the Royal Colonels, Princess Anne and the Duke of Kent.
The Queen and Prince Philip take the salute
Finally, before the parade begins the Queen and the Duke take the salute and the National Anthem.
Posted in Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Duke of Edinburgh, France, Nicolas Sarkozy, Prince Philip, The Queen on May 8th, 2008
In the wake of her recent successful stay at Windsor Castle, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has been talking about her impressions of the Queen and the British Monarchy.
“It was terribly scary but also an incredible adventure,” she said. “It was like arriving on another planet. Never in my life did I think I would meet the Queen of England.”
She told of her amazement that the Queen personally showed her to the apartment where she would be staying at Windsor Castle, and said, “Here’s your bathroom.”
The French First Lady admits she took a crash course in Royal protocol before the visit. “I asked for advice from the protocol section of the Elysee, but also from the British Ambassador’s wife. I tried to imagine how to do the curtsy.”
The Royals were “a real family,” she declared. “One really feels it when one is with them. And for me it was an absolute honour.”
Carla seems to have hit it off with the Duke of Edinburgh. He played the perfect host as the Queen and the President chatted in French.
“Prince Philip is a person with whom it seemed to me very easy to follow protocol.” He also had “impeccable French”. The Duke had explained “everything that was going on, what we saw, the right thing to do. … He’s a fantastic guide.”
The British public and press were very taken with her too.
Posted in Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Order of the Garter, Prince Philip, Prince William, Prince of Wales, The Queen on April 23rd, 2008
The Queen has appointed Prince William a Knight of the Garter.
Prince William with Prince Charles and Camilla at Cranwell
Her Majesty made the announcement as predicted on St. George’s Day, England’s national day and Shakespeare’s birthday.
Prince William will be officially created a Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter and presented with the insignia by his grandmother at a private service at Windsor Castle in June. He will then take part in a public parade wearing the distinctive blue robes and black velvet plumed hat.
This illustrious Order was founded by Edward III in 1348. It is the highest and the oldest British Order of Chivalry and remains in the Queen’s gift alone.
William will, at 25, become the 1000th Knight in the Register since 1348. Together with Prince Philip and Prince Charles he makes up three concurrent generations of Royal Knights.
Regular readers will know that Royal Anecdotes “nominated” Prince William for the vacancy.
We are delighted Her Majesty chose Prince William, whose recent exploits with a Chinook helicopter would have made Biggles proud.
