The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh current events 22: Oct 2009 -

[QueenElizabeth]

Ok, because I just missed one last minute of the speech; and that is all I want to know; so South Africa will come to the UK on an inbound State Visit. Thank you.

[Jacknch]

Oops, sorry - obviously these trips are this year not next year then.

[QueenElizabeth]

No, the Trinidad and Tobago visit will be this month, but the inbound State Visit from South Africa will be in Spring I suppose.

[Iluvbertie]

As there is an election next year and then another Opening Speech - both of which will be before the end of July I think - I would suspect the announcement of State Visits for the second half of next year to be announced after the election.

[iceflower]

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have been in Cambridgeshire today.

They attended a Service to mark the 900th anniversary of the Diocese
of Ely, in Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire (pics 1-3), a visit to a company,
and to King's College (to mark the 800th anniversary of the University
of Cambridge) were also on their list today, we'll surely get pics from
these events as well.

It's obviously been quite windy, according to ap parts of Britain have
been battered by high winds and heavy rain..


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** belga **

[queenofthelight]

Queen Elizabeth comforts her devoted footman after tragic family loss - hellomagazine.com (19/11/2009).

The Queen has personally comforted one of her loyal footmen after learning that his brother had been tragically killed in Afghanistan.
It is reported that upon hearing the news the British monarch left dinner to be by the side of Fraser Marlton-Thomas, and spent half-an-hour consoling the 25-year-old.
It was the Queen herself who was able to comfort a grieving brother.
"The Queen has a special relationship with her servants," the source added. "She is incredibly loyal and cares deeply for all of them. They respond in kind."

[Marsel]

Brave footman insists on escorting Queen to Parliament days after his brother was killed in Afghanistan

Quotes from the DM article and from the Hello! article posted by queenofthelight.

A Palace source told The Sun: 'Both these brothers have devoted their lives to serving Queen and country. 'For them personal duty is not a fancy idea, it is the core of their being.

True heroes, both of them. To me, they symbolize everything Britain once was and hopefully, will be again one day.

'And when Loren laid down his life for his comrades, it was the Queen herself who was able to comfort a grieving brother. She pleaded with Fraser to take more time to come to terms with the loss. But he is so devoted, he simply refused to be absent on her busiest day.'

.....

"The Queen has a special relationship with her servants," the source added. "She is incredibly loyal and cares deeply for all of them. They respond in kind."

I wish there had been less grim occasion to highlight the twofold respect and loyalty; people are devoted and loyal to Her Majesty because she, in turn, is devoted to them and the country, just as a true Monarch should be.


My sincere condolences to Corporal Loren Marlton-Thomas's family; I hope his parents, wife and brother will find at least some consolation in the fact that he was really a true hero and saved many lives on course of his work.
Rest in piece, Loren.

[iceflower]

How touching to read, thanks queenofthelight and Marsel!

By now the belga link given above has been updated with
pics of the other events from yesterday, here are two
additional links from zimbio:

** The Queen Visits Marshall Aerospace - November 19 **

** The Queen and Prince Philip visit King's College Cambridge - Nov. 19 **

[nika]

Queen Elizabeth Opens 2009 British Parliament : Merry Royals - Following the lives of Royalty

[Royal Fan]

Happy 62nd Anniversary to them!

[lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by queenofthelight

Queen Elizabeth comforts her devoted footman after tragic family loss - hellomagazine.com (19/11/2009).

The Queen has personally comforted one of her loyal footmen after learning that his brother had been tragically killed in Afghanistan.
It is reported that upon hearing the news the British monarch left dinner to be by the side of Fraser Marlton-Thomas, and spent half-an-hour consoling the 25-year-old.
It was the Queen herself who was able to comfort a grieving brother.
"The Queen has a special relationship with her servants," the source added. "She is incredibly loyal and cares deeply for all of them. They respond in kind."

How beautifully sweet. How brave of that man. He is still serving his Queen after everything. The fact that the Queen left the dinner table to console him personally is amazingly wonderful.