Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh: Visit to Australia - October 19-29, 2011


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First off- love H.M. outfit, and hat- indeed stunning, love the color combo, and the purple flower in her hat.
Love Mrs. Bryce in the pink outfit in the 3rd pic! Easy to spot in the crowd... big plus. Get your shades on, Your Majesty!:lol:
Love the 7th pic, and the smile in the last pic.
 
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I loved seeing the pictures of Her Majesty with the children. The look on her face when she was given a stuffed puppy was priceless.
 

Those are lovely pictures. Does anyone know what brooch the Queen is wearing? Here is a pic:
Queen+Elizabeth+II+Queen+Elizabeth+II+Duke+mBo2Pcez0ePl.jpg
 
Muhler - she's the Australian aide-de-camp, appointed for the duration of the visit.
 
Those are lovely pictures. Does anyone know what brooch the Queen is wearing? Here is a pic:

I think that's the Wattle brooch - a gift from the people of Australia during her visit there in 1954. HMQ always tries to wear brooches with special significance when she makes visits to her other realms.
 
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Windsorgirl and EIIR, thank you so much for the information and the story behind the brooch. It's a lovely piece of jewelry with a great meaning behind it.
 
She always wears that brooch when she visits Australia or attends an event that relates specifically to Australia when in the UK e.g. when she opened the war memorial for the Australians in London she wore it as well.

She also has a silver fern one that she wears in NZ for the same reason.

As for this being her last visit - I was watching the arrival and the commentators were mentioning the fact that she isn't going to Sydney and that they wouldn't be surprised if she comes back again even possibly next year in the Jubilee. Although they didn't say it one thing to note is that she isn't visiting NZ this time it is possible (she can't visit NZ at the moment as they are in election mode).
 
OMG.. how can you just not love these two? They look wonderful for their age, and their faces speak volumes about their commitment to their roles. Long live the Queen!!!!
 
It's wonderful that so many children are getting to see the Queen and the Duke. They are most likely the last generation to see them as living human beings. The next will know them from their elders' stories and from books and video.:ermm:
 
This might not mean much, but I'm glad that Her Majesty is here. She has always shown great affection for Australia :)

The arrival photos look great by the way :flowers:
 
I note that Baroness Hussey of North Bradley has accompanied HM to Australia.

The media's making waves this morning, or at least attempting too, over the Prime Minister choosing not to curtsey to the royal personage yesterday upon arrival.

It's not surprising being that Ms Gillard is of republican sentiment and a Labor minister to boot and of course, it's within the indaviduals discreation as to whether or not they observe the traditional norm or opt for the alternative.

Perosnally, I'd imagine the Prime Minister's curtsey to be much like that of Cherie Blair so she probably saved herself some embarrassment.

I doubt the Queen cared. She, and the Duke, looked quite tired I thought and understandably so.

The Governor General looked sensational I thought. Mrs. Bryce is a class act.

The boat journey to Floriade in a little over 3 hours time should be quite nice. I attended Floriade some three years ago. It's quite lovely and the upkeep of the premises is a real credit to those employed.

Muhler - she's the Australian aide-de-camp, appointed for the duration of the visit.

Nice to see you post, Polly.

She always wears that brooch when she visits Australia or attends an event that relates specifically to Australia when in the UK e.g. when she opened the war memorial for the Australians in London she wore it as well.

Certainly. And she often wears it as it's said to be a favourite piece.
 
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You can see the female military officer in one of the shots, IIRC. I don't know what her role is.

Polly told us she's the aide-de-camp and that is logic.

To put it simple:
In this context an aide-de-camp is an honorary Australian military escort for QMII. On a more practical note she acts as a local military liason for QEII's staff, in particular assisting QEII's adjutants.
- That at least is a normal role for an aide-de-camp in a royal/head of state context, so I presume it applies here as well.
 
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I've been following this trip so much from the live coverage of the arrival yesterday to the arrival at Floriade today. Her Majesty has received really warm welcome by the Australians. I just feel so moved by looking at the pictures of her and the well-wishers at RAF Fairbairn yeterday. Considering her and the Duke's age, plus this visit is such a long one, I do also have a feeling that it maybe her last time in Down Under.
I have only seen her and the Duke once when they were in Sydney back in 2006. Luckily I got the Royal smile and wave back, but it was still in a long distance about 10-15m away. I'm planning to go to Melbourne on Tuesday night to get a chance seeing Her Majesty and the Duke on Wednesday. Any members here from Melbourne who could give me a suggestion whether I should go to the Royal Children's Hospital Opening or the walkabout in the Federation Square to get a best spot and chance to see Her Majesty? I really appreciate your help.
 
HM. is opening a children's hospital?
That should provide cute Granny-like photos.:flowers:
 
It's wonderful that so many children are getting to see the Queen and the Duke. They are most likely the last generation to see them as living human beings. The next will know them from their elders' stories and from books and video.:ermm:

Here in Queensland school kids are now being encouraged to go and see the Queen on Monday, even though it's a school day

Pupils given OK to skip school for Queen | The Australian

I for one will be taking the Minister's advice and going along to South Bank next week to wave my Australian flag and greet my Sovereign. The tour so far has been great - the ceremonial arrival and the trip to Floriade have been fantastic and the Queen seems so happy, along with the everyday Australians who have turned out to see her.

Oh, and one more thing. What is the difference between an equerry and an aide-de-camp? I know that the man in naval uniform who is always present with the Queen is a Royal Australian Navy Commander serving as Australian Equerry, but I haven't seen anything regarding an aide-de-camp
 
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RoyalistRiley said:
Here in Queensland school kids are now being encouraged to go and see the Queen on Monday, even though it's a school day

Pupils given OK to skip school for Queen | The Australian

**I for one will be taking the Minister's advice and going along to South Bank next week to wave my Australian flag and greet my Sovereign.** The tour so far has been great - the ceremonial arrival and the trip to Floriade have been fantastic and the Queen seems so happy, along with the everyday Australians who have turned out to see her.

Oh, and one more thing. What is the difference between an equerry and an aide-de-camp? I know that the man in naval uniform who is always present with the Queen is a Royal Australian Navy Commander serving as Australian Equerry, but I haven't seen anything regarding an aide-de-camp

I'll be at South Bank as well! I think it's lovely how many have turned out to see the Queen so far and the reception she has received from children and adults alike.
 
My sister, niece and nephew all got to see the Queen in Canberra. My nephew said she looks like his gran he expected her in a crown or something! I tried to explain some of the rules. They had a fun day and even though they didn't get that close to the Queen they can say they saw her in real life which will be a wonderful memory. Being that it really does look like their last official tour it would great for everyone to show their support.
 
Oh, and one more thing. What is the difference between an equerry and an aide-de-camp? I know that the man in naval uniform who is always present with the Queen is a Royal Australian Navy Commander serving as Australian Equerry, but I haven't seen anything regarding an aide-de-camp

Had to look up what an equerry is.
It seems it originally was what in they in continental royal courts called a jäger.

However, in this case my guess is that he is a de facto adjutant.
You (Australia) can't allocate a royal adjutant to your own head of state, only the monarch can do that. So you call him something else and attach him to the visiting monarch. And as he is more than an aide-de-camp, you call him an equerry.
How does that sound?

This thread is getting better and better. :)
 
I'm glad our Prime Minister didn't curtsy to the Queen. I would have been embarrassed if she had. She's a Republican and it would have been hypocritical of her to have done so, IMO. And as well as that I've always found the curtsy to be rather silly and anachronistic. Men bow as a sign of deference and respect, and that's all women should have to do, IMO. And the PM inclined her head slightly, and that's fine with me.
 
As an Australian I think Gillard's decision to not curtesy was not a good one she is riding the wave of being totally unpopular and this just gives fuel. But my sister is going to make the effort to see the Queen and Prince Phillip today and I am really envious. The Queen is just amazing. they both are actually, it is wonderful to see them in Australia a real thrill.
 
As an Australian I think Gillard's decision to not curtesy was not a good one she is riding the wave of being totally unpopular and this just gives fuel. But my sister is going to make the effort to see the Queen and Prince Phillip today and I am really envious. The Queen is just amazing. they both are actually, it is wonderful to see them in Australia a real thrill.

I agree. If the Queen visited the United States and I had the opportunity to meet her, I would still curtesy. Even though America is not under the Monarchy anymore, it is just a sign of respect for her.
 
I would never curtsey to anyone - they are no better than me so why? I wouldn't curtsey the the US President so why curtsey to someone else in the same position?

BP have made it known that the Queen doesn't expect curtsies anymore anyway.
 
I think the time has treated Her Majesty kindly (even compared to another royal in Australia at the moment ten years her junior, Princess Birgitta of Sweden and Hohenzollern). I must say I didn't expect HM and DoE to be traveling so far at their age. Even if they had a V.I.P. treatment and didn't have to fly coach, that is a very grueling trip to be made especially when 85 and 90 years of age. I mean, I must've looked like I was 85 when I crawled out of the airplane with my knees permanently locked in a sitting position after 24 hours of flying coach to Sydney! :eek: The royal couple keeps surprising me with their stamina.
 
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