RUSSIAN ARTIST CREATES PEARL-ENCRUSTED PAINTING FOR THE QUEEN

A RUSSIAN ARTIST IN SERBIA HAS SPENT A SMALL PERSONAL FORTUNE OVER A THOUSAND PEARLS FOR A RELIGIOUS PAINTING HE HAS MADE FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II. CLAD IN EMBROIDERED ROBES, ADAM AND EVE SIT IN THRONES ON A SUSPENDED GARDEN OF EDEN IN ANATOLY PASTYREV'S PAINTING, WHICH IS CROWNED BY A RUSSIAN ORTHODOX ICON AND PEARL-ENCRUSTED THROWOUT. 'THE BRITISH MONARCHY IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN THE BASTION OF MODERN CIVILIZATION WHICH HAS CENTURIES-OLD TRADITIONS COMING FROM CHRISTIANITY', PASTYREV TOLD REUTERS ON SUNDAY AT HIS HOME IN TAIGA FOREST ENCIRCLING KRASNOYARSK, SOME 3,300km EAST OF MOSCOW. PASTYREV NOW WANTS TO GIVE THE PAINTING, CALLED 'GLORIFICATION OF THE LORD', TO THE BRITISH MONARCH AS A TRIBUTE TO HER TITLE AS SUPREME GOVERNOR OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. THE BULLDOZER OPERATOR-TURNED-ARTIST SPENT MONTHS WORKING ON THE PAINTING, WHICH HAS 1,360 NATURAL PEARLS HE BOUGHT IN MOSCOW FOR A HANDSOME SUM OF 500,000 RUBLES (£10,947). 'THE BRITISH ROYAL COURT IS THE OLDEST, MOST POWERFUL AND MOST INFLUENTIAL', SAID PASTYREV, WHO WAS A FERVENT COMMUNIST IN SOVIET DAYS. HE IS NOW LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GIVE THE PAINTING, WHICH MEASURES ONE METER BY 1.4 METERS LONG AND IS PEARL-ENCRUSTED ALONG ITS OUTLINE, THROUGH-OUT THE GARDEN AND ON THE BUBBLE-LIKE CLOUDS, TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE. BUT PASTYREV WANTS TO WAIT WHILE THE 'HAT' SURROUNDING PRINCE WILLIAM'S MARRIAGE TO KATE MIDDLETON ON 29.APRIL DIES DOWN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO GET HIS ARTWORK TO THE BRITISH MONARCH. 'I AM THRILLED BY THIS EVENT...I HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT FOR THE YOUNG PRINCE WILLIAM', HE SAID.

NATIONAL POTRAIT GALLERY TO PRESENT 'THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE'

TO MARK THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE IN 2012, THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY WILL STAGE AN INNOVATIVE TOURING EXHIBITION BRINGING TOGETHER 60 OF THE MOST REMARKABLE AND RESONANT IMAGES OF ELIZABETH II SPANNING THE 60 YEARS OF HER REIGN, SOME ON PUBLIC DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE WILL TOUR TO BRITISH VENUES BEFORE BEING SHOWN IN LONDON, OPENING IN EDINBURGH IN JUNE, BELFAST IN OCTOBER AND CARDIFF AND LONDON IN 2012. FROM BEATON AND LEOBOVITZ TO ANNIGONI AND WARHOL, THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE WILL BE THE MOST WIDE RANGING-EXHIBITION OF IMAGES IN DIFFERENT MEDIA DEVOTED TO A SINGLE ROYAL SITTER,FORMAL PAINTED PORTRAITS OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, MEDIA PICTURES, AND POWERFUL RESPONSES BY CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS WILL BE SHOWN IN AN EXHIBITION WHICH EXPLORES TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WORKS WHICH EXTEND THE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF ROYAL PORTRAITURE. AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WORKS FROM LIFE ARE ANNIGONI'S HUGELY POPULAR LIFE-SIZE 1969 COMMISSION FOR THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LUCIAN FREUD'S 2000-01 PORTRAIT FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION AND JUSTIN MORTIMER'S PAINTING WHERE THE QUEEN'S HEAD FLOATS AWAY FROM HER BODY AGAINST A HUGE BACKGROUND OF FLAT VIBRANT YELLOW. AMONG THE EXHIBITED PHOTOGRAPHS FOR WHOM THE QUEEN SAT ARE ANNIE LEIBOVITZ, DOROTHY WILDING AND CECIL BEATON, INCLUDING HIS ICONIC WESTMINSTER ABBEY CORONATION IMAGE, AND CHRIS LEVINE'S HIGH;Y UNUSUAL PHOTOGRAPH FROM 2004 OF THE QUEEN WITH HER EYES CLOSED. COLLECTIVELY, THE EXHIBITION CELEBRATES AND EXPLORES THE STARTLING RANGE OF ARTISTIC CREATIVITY AND MEDIA-DERIVED IMAGERY THAT THE QUEEN HAS INSPIRED. IT ALSO PROBES THE RELATION OF THIS IMAGERY TO A WORLD OF CHANGING VALUES DURING A REIGN THAT HAS ENGAGED THE ATTENTION OF MILLIONS.

QUEEN ACCEPS HELPING HAND FROM EMIR OF QATAR

THE QUEEN ACCEPTED A HELPING HAND FROM THE EMIR OF QATAR AFTER WELCOMING HIM TO WINDSOR CASTLE AT THE START OF A THREE-DAY STATE VISIT INTENDED TO CEMENT BRITAIN'S TRADE LINKS WITH THE GULF STATE. AFTER WATCHING A MARCH PAST OF THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY AND ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY SOLDIERS, SHEIK HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI GUIDED THE QUEEN DOWN A SHORT FLIGHT OF STEPS FROM A DIAS. THE EMIR, WHO FLEW TO LONDON WITH HIS CONSORT, SHEIKA MOZAH BINT NASSER AL-MISSNED, ONE OF HIS THREE WIVES, WILL ALSO MET DAVID CAMERON IN DOWNING STREET AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S DRIVE TO STRENGTHEN TRADE WITH QATAR AND OTHER GULF EMIRATES. QATAR, A BRITISH PROTECTORATE UNTIL 1971, IA A KEY ENERGY SUPPLIER TO THE UK, AND IS EVENTUALLY EXPECTED TO PROVIDE UP TO ONE FIFTH OF THE COUNTRY'S GAS SUPPLY IN THE FORM OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS, WHICH IS SHIPPED TO A TERMINAL IN MILFORD HAVEN, PEMBROKESHIRE. IT IS ALSO A MAJOR INVESTOR IN THE UK, WITH HIGH-PROFILE ASSETS INCLUDING THE HARRODS DEPARTMENT STORE IN LONDON, WHICH THE QATARI ROYAL FAMILY BOUGHT IN MAY FOR AN ESTIMATED £1.5 BILLION. THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL HAD A PRIVATE MEETING WITH THE EMIR AND HIS CONSORT BEFORE ESCORTING THEM TO WINDSOR CASTLE.

PAPAL GIFT TO QUEEN ELIZABETH ON DISPLAY IN HOLYROODHOUSE

THE GIFT PRESENTED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN DURING HIS RECENT STATE VISIT TO EDINBURGH HAS GONE ON DISPLAY AT THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE. THE RARE MANUSCRIPT, KNOWN AS THE LORSCH GOSPELS, IS A MAGNIFICENT ILLUMINATED GOSPEL BOOK COLLECTION WRITTEN 1,200 YEARS AGO. SUMPTUOUSLY ILLUSTRATED, IT INCLUDES IMAGES MORE THAN 400 PAGES WRITTEN ENTIRELY IN GOLD INK ON VELLUM. THE FACSIMILE EDITION PRESENTED TO THE QUEEN COMBINES ALL PARTS OF THE MANUSCRIPT IN ONE VOLUME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE HUNDRED YEARS, COMPLETE WITH REPRODUCTIONS OF THE IVORY COVERS. THE MANUSCRIPT WAS WRITTEN IN THE EARLY 9th CENTURY AT THE COURT OF THE EMPEROR CHARLEMAGNE IN AACHEN, GERMANY, AND WAS FIRST RECORDED IN THE IMPERIAL ABBEY OF LORSCH AROUND 860. THE BINDING OF THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT WAS MOUNTED WITH IVORY PANELS DEPICTING THE VIRGIN AND CHILD WITH ST JOHN AND THE PROPHET ZACHARIAH, AND THE FIGURE OF CHRIST. THE MANUSCRIPT REMAINED AT LORSCH ABBEY UNTIL 1556 BUT WAS SPLIT INTO TWO BEFORE IT LEFT THE ABBEY AND AT SOME POINT THE FRONT AND BACK COVERS WERE ALSO REMOVED. THE BACK COVER IS NOW IN THE VATICAN LIBRARY AND THE FRONT COVER IS IN THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON. THE QUEEN WELCOMED HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE ON HIS FIRST PAPAL VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM LAST MONTH. THE QUEEN RECEIVED THE POPE FOR A PRIVATE AUDIENCE AND EXCHANGE OF GIFTS IN THE MORNING DRAWING ROOM. THE QUEEN PRESENTED THE POPE WITH A FACSIMILE EDITION OF DRAWINGS BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER IN THE ROYAL COLLECTION.

THE QUEEN NAMES CUNARD'S NEW LINER

THE QUEEN HAS OFFICIALLY NAMED CUNARD'S 92,000-TON QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER IN A GLITTERING CEREMONY IN SOUTHAMPTON TODAY. THE NAMING, BEFORE HUNDREDS OF INVITED GUESTS ON THE QUAYSIDE AT THE VESSEL'S HOME PORT, FOLLOWING A TOUR OF THE SHIP BY THE QUEEN. BUILT AT THE FINCANTIERI MONFALCONE SHIPYARD NEAR TRIESTE IN ITALY, THE VESSEL FEATURES MEMORABILIA FROM CUNARD'S FIRST QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER AS WELL AS FROM THE SECOND SHIP TO BEAR THE NAME, THE QE2. ON BOARD THE NEW SHIP THE QUEEN SAW, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A PORTRAIT OF HER PAINTED BY BURNLEY-BORN ISOBEL PEACHY, WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE THE YOUNGEST WOMAN COMMISSIONED TO PAINT THE MONARCH. THE PAINTING SHOWS THE QUEEN WEARING A NECKLACE AND EARRINGS, FORMERLY BELONGING TO QUEEN VICTORIA, WHICH SHE WORE AT THE CORONATION IN 1953. CAPABLE OF CARRYING 2,068 PASSENGERS AND 996 CREW, THE NEW, 16-DECK QUEEN ELIZABETH IS 964ft LONG AND CAN TRAVEL AT A SPEED OF AROUND 27mph. FEATURES INCLUDE AN 18ft PANEL CREATED BY THE QUEEN'S NEPHEW VISCOUNT LINLEY, ART DECO INTERIORS ECHOING THE 1930s' GREAT AGE OF OCEAN LINERS, AND A SHOPPING AREA FEATURING NAMES SUCH AS FORTNUM & MASON AND HARRIS TWEED. UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPTAIN CHRIS WELLS WHO EARLIER SERVED ON THE QEII AND CUNARD'S FLAGSHIP QUEEN MARY 2 (QM2), THE NW QUEEN ELIZABETH ALSO HAS AN 832-SEAT THEATER WHERE PASSENGERS WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH WEST END-STYLE SHOWS. THE SHIP LEAVES TOMORROW ON ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE, A 13-NIGHT SAILING WHICH INCLUDES STOPS AT LISBON, TENERIFE AND MADEIRA. TICKETS FOR THE FIRST VOYAGE WENT ON SALE ON 1.APRIL.2009 AND WERE ALL SNAPPED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES. CUNARD'S FIRST QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER WAS LAUNCHED ON THE CLYDE IN SCOTLAND IN 1938 BY THE THEN QUEEN ELIZABETH, LATER THE QUEEN MOTHER, WITH THE PRESENT QUEEN, THEN 12 YEARS OLD, LOOKING ON. THE QE2 WAS LAUNCHED ON THE CLYDE BY THE QUEEN IN 1967. SHE WAS OFFICIALLY NAMED THE QM2 IN A CEREMONY AT SOUTHAMPTON IN 2004. WHILE THE FIRST QUEEN MARY SHIP, LAUNCHED BY QUEEN MARY IN 1934, LIVES ON AS A FLOATING HOTEL AND TOURIST ATTRACTION IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, THE FIRST QUEEN ELIZABETH MET AN UNHAPPY FATE. SOLD TO A BUSINESSMAN, THE VESSEL CAUGHT FIRE AND SANK IN HONG KONG HARBOR IN 1972. IN SERVICE WITH CUNARD FROM 1969, THE QE2 WAS PART OF THE COMPANY'S FLEET UNTIL BEING SOLD TO A DUBAI PROPERTY COMPANY ON 2008.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II POSES FOR CUNARD PORTRAIT COMMISSION

THE QUEEN HAS POSED FOR A NEW PORTRAIT IN THE SAME DIAMOND NECKLACE AND EARRINGS THAT SHE WORE FOR HER CORONATION. THE JEWELRY, MADE FOR QUEEN VICTORIA, APPEARS IN A STUNNING PAINTING COMMISSIONED FOR THE LAUNCH OF A CRUISE SHIP. IT WAS PAINTED BY ISOBEL PEACHY, WHO AGED 31 IS THE YOUNGEST FEMALE ARTIST FOR WHOM THE MONARCH HAS SAT. SHE WAS COMMISSIONED BY CUNARD, THE SHIPPING COMPANY, WHO WILL DISPLAY THE PORTRAIT ON THE QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER. TEH QUEEN WILL SEE THE FINISHED PORTRAIT FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN SHE NAMES THE SHIP AT A CEREMONY NEXT MONTH IN SOUTHAMPTON. TEH PICTURE, SET IN THE YELLOW DRAWING ROOM IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE, SHOWS TEH QUEEN DRESSED IN A PALE BLUE GOWN. IT IS UNDERSTOOD SHE POSED FOR THREE SITTINGS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS FOR THE PORTRAIT. PEACHY, AN AWARD-WINNING PORTRAIT ARTIST, HAD NEVER BEEN COMMISSIONED TO PAINT A ROYAL PORTRAIT BEFORE. SHE SAID: 'AT MY INTERVIEW WITH CUNARD, I ANSWERED MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW I WOULD APPROACH AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION, BUT IT WAS ONLY AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW THAT THE SUBJECT WAS REVEALED AS THE QUEEN. THIS WAS BOTH A CHOCK AND A MARVELOUS SURPRISE.' IN ORDER TO KEEP THE IDENTITY OF THE PORTRAIT SECRET WHILE IT WAS BEING COMPLETED PEACHY WAS UNABLE TO WORK IN HER USUAL SHARED STUDIO. INSTEAD SHE FINISHED THE PICTURE FROM THE ATTIC OF HER MOTHER'S HOME IN WEST LONDON. CUNARD TRADITIONALLY COMMISSIONS SCULPTURES OR PORTRAITS TO BE KEPT ON BOARD EACH SHIP NAMED BY A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. THE ARTIST OSWALD BIRLEY PAINTED THE LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER TO HANG ON THE ORIGINAL QUEEN ELIZABETH WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1940 AND LATER SOLD IN 1968. A BUST OF THE CURRENT WAS COMMISSIONED FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 (QE2) FROM OSCAR NEMON IN 1969. THE SHIP WAS SOLD IN 2008 BUT THE BUST WAS KEPT. IT WILL BE DISPLAYED ALONGSIDE THE NEW PORTRAIT ON THE NEW QUEEN ELIZABETH SHIP WHOSE MAIDEN VOYAGE WILL BE A COMMERCIAL CRUISE TO THE CANARIES. TEH PORTRAIT WILL BE DISPLAYED IN PROMINENT POSITION IN THE GRAND LOBBY OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II WELCOMES POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS AT THE HEART OF BRITISH SOCIETY, THE QUEEN SAID AS SHE WELCOMED POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN. MEETING THE POPE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE, HER OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN SCOTLAND, SHE PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO WORLD DEVELOPMENT. THE QUEEN ALSO PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HELPING THE POOR, EDUCATING THE YOUNG AND BRINGING ABOUT PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. HER COMMENTS ECHOED THOSE MADE BY BARONESS WARSI, THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN, WHO SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT 'FAITH IS VERY MUCH ALIVE AND KICKING' IN BRITAIN. THE PAPAL PLANE TOUCHED DOWN AT EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON THURSDAY MORNING AND IN A BREAK WITH TRADITION THE PONTIFF WAS GREETED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. THE ENTOURAGE SWEPT ONTO THE COURTYARD OF HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE IN LIMOUSINES WHERE THE QUEEN AND THE POPE SHOOK HANDS AT THE FORMAL WELCOME. THE TWO HEADS OF STATE STOOD SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, WITH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH BEHIND THEM, ON A SMALL DIAS IN FRONT OF A GUARD OF HONOR FORMED OF MEN FROM THE QUEEN'S HISTORIC BODYGUARD FROM SCOTLAND, THE ROYAL COMPANY OR ARCHERS, WHO CARRY LONGBOWS AND WEAR BONNETS DECORATED WITH A SINGLE EAGLE FEATHER. THE PAPAL ANTHEM AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WERE PLAYED BY THE BAND OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND, BEFORE THE QUEEN INTRODUCED THE POPE TO THE LINE OF DIGNITARIES INCLUDING THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, DR ROWAN WILLIAMS; THE DEPUTY MINISTER, NICK CLEGG; AND ALEX SALMOND, THE FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND. THE QUEEN, THE POPE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXCHANGED GIFTS IN THE MORNING DRAWING ROOM. BENEDICT WAS PRESENTED WITH A FACSIMILE OF 85 DRAWINGS BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER, AND THEN GAVE THE QUEEN A COPY OF THE BOOK OF THE LORSCH GOSPELS DATING FROM 778 TO 820. SHE THANKED HIM AND DESCRIBED THE BOOK AS 'LOVELY'. HUNDREDS OF GUESTS WERE INVITED TO THE RECEPTION INCLUDING LEADERS OF MAJOR RELIGIONS AND POLITICIANS. THE QUEEN APPEARED AT A LECTERN AT THE BACK OF THE PALACE, DRESSED IN A DUCK EGG-BLUE COAT AND MATCHING HAT ALONG WITH BLACK GLOVES, AND SPOKE FOR ALMOST FIVE MINUTES. SHE BEGAN BY RECALLING THE VISIT OF THE PREVIOUS POPE, JOHN PAUL II, TO BRITAIN IN 1982 AND CHANGES IN THE WORLD SINCE THEN. 'IN THIS COUNTRY WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE HOLY SEE IN THE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND.' ADDRESSING THE POPE DIRECTLY, THE QUEEN WENT ON: 'YOUR HOLINESS, YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY REMINDS US OF OUR COMMON CHRISTIAN HERITAGE AND OF THE CHRISTIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF WORLD PEACE, AND TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESS PROSPEROUS COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.' THE QUEEN QUOTED THE POPE'S COMMENT THAT RELIGIONS SHOULD NEVER BECOME 'VEHICLES OF HATRED' AND CONCLUDED: 'TODAY, IN THIS COUNTRY, WE STAND UNITED IN THAT CONVICTION. WE HOLD THAT FREEDOM TO WORSHIP IS AT THE CORE OF OUR TOLERANT AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED KINGDOMS, I WISH YOU A MOST FRUITFUL AND MEMORABLE VISIT.'

QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS GORDONSTOUN

THE QUEEN ENJOYED A TASTE OF WEST END MUSICALS IN THE HIGHLANDS RECENTLY AS SHE VISITED GORDONSTOUN, THE SCHOOL WHERE HER HUSBAND AND SONS WERE EDUCATED. SHE WAS AT THE SCHOOL AT MORAY TO OPEN A NEW SPORTS CENTER. THE QUEEN WAS ORIGINALLY MEANT TO OPEN THE HALL LAST SEPTEMBER BUT THE VISIT HAD TO BE POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE SWINE FLU OUTBREAK AT THE SCHOOL. PUPILS PERFORMED EXCERPTS FROM THE MUSICAL LES MISERABLES IN THE OGSTOUN THEATER. SHE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH ARRIVED IN A HELICOPTER AT 11.a. THE COUPLE WATCHED HOCKEY DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE BEFORE MAKING THEIR WAY IN TO THE SPORTS HALL, WITH PUPILS LINING THE ROUTE. AFTER A SPEECH FROM BRYAN WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, THE QUEEN UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE HALL. IONA MCVEAN AND CONNOR COLLINS THE YOUNGEST BOY AND GIRL FROM ABERLOUR HOUSE, THE PREP SCHOOL FOR GORDONSTOUN, EACH GAVE HER A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE THE QUEEN CHATTED WITH THE SOLOISTS. ONE OF THEM, LAURA BARNES, SAID IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO SING FOR THE QUEEN, AND SPEAK WITH TO HER AFTERWARD. DURING HER VISIT, THE QUEEN ALSO SPOKE TO PUPILS IN THE SECOND FIRE AND COASTGUARD SERVICES, AND MET SCHOOL DIGNITARIES AS WELL AS RETIRED HEAD OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION GEORGE WELSH, AFTER WHOM THE NEW SPORTS HALL HAS BEEN NAMED. GORDONSTOUN, NEAR ELGIN, HAS EDUCATED SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF BRITISH ROYALTY. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND HIS SONS, THE PRINCE OF WALES, THE DUKE OF YORK AND THE EARL OF WESSEX, ALL ATTENDED THE SCHOOL, WHERE FEES RANGE FROM AROUND £19,000 FOR DAY PUPILS UP TO £29,000 A YEAR FOR BOARDERS.

QUEEN'S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT TO BE MOVED TO SPRING

THE ANNUAL STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT BY THE QUEEN IS TO BE MOVED FROM ITS TRADITIONAL AUTUMN DATE TO THE SPRING, AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S SHIFT TO FIVE-YEAR FIXED-TERM PARLIAMENTS, IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED. UNDER THE PROPOSALS, BEING DEBATED IN THE COMMONS RECENTLY, EACH FIVE-YEAR PARLIAMENT WILL BE MADE UP OF FIVE 12-MONTH SESSIONS STRETCHING FROM SPRING TO SPRING, WITH A STATE OPENING TO MARK THE NEW SESSION AROUND EASTER. ANNOUNCING THE PROPOSED CHANGES, LEADER OF THE COMMONS SIR GEORGE YOUNG REVEALED THAT THE NEXT QUEEN'S SPEECH WILL TAKE PLACE AROUND EASTER 2012, ALMOST TWO YEARS AFTER THE CEREMONY WHICH OPENED THE CURRENT PARLIAMENT ON 25.MAY. OFFICIALS SAID IT HAD BEEN DECIDED, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE, TO DELAY THE NEXT QUEEN'S SPEECH FROM ITS EXPECTED DATE IN AUTUMN 2011, TO 'ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION' TO THE NEW SYSTEM. THE SPEECH, DRAWN UP BY MINISTERS BUT DELIVERED BY THE QUEEN, SETS OUT THE GOVERNMENT'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE COMING PERIOD. BUT INSIDERS SAID SUCH A LARGE PROGRAM OF WORK WAS SET OUT IN MAY THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF PARLIAMENT RUNNING OUT OF THINGS TO DO IN THE TWO-YEAR GAP BEFORE THE NEXT ONE. TRADITIONALLY, THE 12-MONTH PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS RAN FROM NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER, WITH STATE OPENING HELD IN THOSE MONTH, EXCEPT IN GENERAL ELECTION YEARS, WHEN THE CEREMONY WAS HELD SHORTLY AFTER THE POLL. THE LAVISH CEREMONY, A HIGHPOINT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY YEAR, DATES FROM THE OPENINGS OF THE REBUILT PALACE OF WESTMINSTER IN 1852. IN 1974 THERE WERE TWO STATE OPENINGS BECAUSE OF THE TWO GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT YEAR. THE CHANGE TO FIVE-SESSION PARLIAMENTS IS NOT EXPECTED TO RESULT IN ANY REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF DAYS ON WHICH THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SITS.

THE QUEEN OPENS HER PHOTOGRAPHS TO TEH WORLD ON FLICKR

YET ANOTHER SIGN OF THE QUEEN'S DETERMINATION TO MASTER NEW TECHNOLOGY. AFTER EMBRACING YOUTUBE AND TWITTER, BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS LAUNCHED A NEW FLICKR ACCOUNT RECENTLY CONTAINING MORE THAN 600 PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AT WORK AND PLAY. SOME OF THE RARELY PUBLISHED IMAGES OF THE QUEEN, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, THE PRINCE OF WALES, THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL, PRINCE WILLIAM, PRINCE HARRY AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WILL DATE BACK WELL OVER A CENTURY, WHILE OTHERS WILL BE FROM AS RECENTLY AS THE QUEEN'S TOUR OF CANADA AND HER VISIT TO NEW YORK EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE MONARCHY'S NEW FLICKR ACCOUNT IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN BUCKINGHAM PALACE, CLARENCE HOUSE AND ST JAMES'S PALACE. PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE ROYAL ARCHIVE MASTERPIECES OF EARLY BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTED BY QUEEN VICTORIA AND PRINCE ALBERT IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19th CENTURY. IN ALL, THERE ARE 28 DIFFERENT SETS OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE THEMES INCLUDE THE QUEEN AND THE COMMONWEALTH, ROYAL EVENTS AND CEREMONIES, AND LATEST NEWS AND DIARY. THE QUEEN IS SAID TO BE 'VERY ENTHUSIASTIC' ABOUT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES AND HAS PERSONALLY APPROVED THE RELEASE OF ARCHIVE PHOTOGRAPHS FEATURING MOMENTOUS AND TOUCHING MOMENTS IN ROYAL HISTORY. THOSE CLOSE TO THE QUEEN, WHO IS 84, HAVE TOLD HOW, ENCOURAGED BY HER GRANDCHILDREN, SHE HAS LONG BEEN KEEN TO LEARN ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY. SHE HAS HER OWN PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS, 'SURFS' THE WEB AND USES A MOBILE PHONE. A SPOKESMAN FOR BUCKINGHAM PALACE SAID: 'THE (FLICKR) LAUNCH IS TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE SUMMER OPENING OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE, AS THE SITE HIGHLIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHS SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED FOR THE PALACE'S EXHIBITION, THE QUEEN'S YEAR, WHICH OPENS ON 27.JULY.'
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QUEEN AND THE ROYAL FAMILY ON ISLAND CRUISE

THE QUEEN USED TO ADORE HER ANNUAL CRUISES AROUND THE WESTERN ISLES OF SCOTLAND ABOARD THE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA AND WEPT WHEN THE SHIP WAS DECOMMISSIONED IN 1997. THOSE DAYS SEEMED DESTINED TO BE MORE THAN A MEMORY, BUT SO KEEN WAS SHE TO REPEAT THE EXPERIENCE THAT SHE HAS SPENT AN ESTIMATED £200,000 CHARTERING A NEW CRUISE FOR HER CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, NEPHEWS AND NIECES. AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP WILL BE TWO PARTIES TO CELEBRATE THE 60th BIRTHDAY OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL NEXT MONTH AND THE 50th BIRTHDAY OF THE DUKE OF YORK EARLIER THIS YEAR. BATHED IN GLORIOUS SUNSHINE, AN EXCITED ROYAL FAMILY ARRIVED EN MASSE AT STORNOWAY ON THE ISLE OF LEWIS TO BEGIN THEIR HOLIDAY. THE QUEEN DRESSED IN A LIME GREEN TROUSER SUIT AND PASTEL HEADSCARF, BOARDED THE LUXURY HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS, WHICH WILL BE THEIR HOME FOR THE NEXT TEN DAYS. SHE WAS JOINED BY THE DUKE OF YORK AND HIS DAUGHTERS, PRINCESS EUGENIE AND BEATRICE, WHO BOTH APPEARED SUN-TANNED AND WERE BOTH DRESSED IN SHORT, DARK SKIRTS. THE PRINCESS ROYAL, BOARDED WITH A BACKPACK AND WEARING CREAM TROUSERS AND A JACKET, FOLLOWED BY HER HUSBAND, VICE-ADMIRAL TIM LAURENCE, WHO WAS CARRYING TWO BAGS. VISCOUNT LINLEY, PRINCESS MARGARET'S SON, WAS PRESENT WITH HIS WIFE SERENA STANHOPE AND THEIR TWO CHILDREN, CHARLES AND MARGARITA. THE VISCOUNT'S SISTER, LADY SARAH CHATTO, HER HUSBAND, DANIEL, AND THEIR SONS, SAMUEL AND ARTHUR, APPEARED CHEERFUL AS THE BOARDED. THE HON MARY MORRISON, THE QUEEN'S LADY IN WAITING AND ONE OF HER CLOSEST CONFIDANTES WAS ONE OF A FEW ROYAL SERVANTS. SHE BOARDED CARRYING LUGGAGE, TWO ITEMS OF WHICH WERE SIMPLY MARKED 'THE QUEEN' IN BLOCK LETTERS. AMONG THOSE TO JOIN THE TRIP LATER ARE THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, PRINCE EDWARD AND THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX, WITH THEIR CHILDREN, AND PETER PHILIPS AND HIS WIFE, AUTUMN. THE QUEEN WAS HALF AN HOUR LATE BOARDING BUT SHE GAVE A CHEERY WAVE TO HUNDREDS OF CHEERING PASSENGERS ON A NEARBY FERRY THAT WAS HEADING ULLAPOOL. THE HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS IS A FORMER CAR FERRY BUT, AFTER AN EXTENSIVE REFIT, NOW BOASTS 30 LUXURY CABINS AND SUITES. THE SHIP'S ITINERARY IS BEING KEPT SECRET BUT THE QUEEN HAS A FAVORITE PICNIC BEACH ON THE REMOTE ISLAND OF COLONSAY AND ANOTHER SCARISTA ON HARRIS IN THE OUTER HEBRIDES. IT WILL END WITH A VISIT TO THE LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER'S HOME AT THE CASTLE OF MEY ON THE NORTHERN COAST OF CAITHNESS AT AROUND THE TIME OF THE 110th ANNIVERSARY OF HER BIRTH. THE QUEEN AND THE OTHER ROYAL HOLIDAYMAKERS WILL COME ASHORE TO BE ENTERTAINED TO LUNCH AT THE CASTLE BY THE PRINCE OF WALES AND HIS WIFE, BEFORE HEADING ON TO BALMORAL FOR THE REMAINDER OF HER SUMMER BREAK.

QUEEN'S STATE ROBE WILL BE DISPLAYED AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

THE QUEEN'S 18ft ROBE OF STATE WILL GO ON PUBLIC DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME AS PART ON AN EXHIBITION AT THE SUMMER OPENING OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE. THE CRIMSON VELVET ROBE WORN BY THE QUEEN AT THE STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT WILL BE THE CENTERPIECE OF THE DISPLAY, ALONGSIDE THE MACE AND GREAT SWORD OF STATE. THE ROBE, WHICH WEIGHS MORE THAN 151 lbs, WAS MADE FOR THE QUEEN'S CORONATION IN 1953. IT CONSISTS OF AN ERMINE CAPE AND A LONG VELVET TRAIN, MEASURING 18ft IN TOTAL. THE EXHIBITION RUNS FROM 27.JULY UNTIL 1.OCTOBER.

THE QUEEN IS TO BECOME A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME

PRINCESS ANNE'S SON PETER PHILLIPS AND HIS WIFE AUTUMN ARE EXPECTING THEIR FIRST CHILD IN DECEMBER, BUCKINGHAM PALACE RECENTLY CONFIRMED. THE QUEEN IS SAID TO BE OVERJOYED AFTER LEARNING THAT SHE IS TO BECOME A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME. PHILLIPS AND HIS CANADIAN-BORN WIFE SAID IN A STATEMENT: 'PETER AND AUTUMN PHILIPS ARE DELIGHTED TO CONFIRM THEY ARE EXPECTING A BABY IN DECEMBER. THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AS WELL AS AUTUMN'S FAMILY HAVE BEEN INFORMED AND ARE DELIGHTED WITH THE NEWS.' ALTHOUGH HE IS 11th TO THE THRONE, PHILLIPS DOES NOT HAVE A ROYAL TITLE AS HIS MOTHER DECLINED TO GIVE HER CHILDREN THE HRH TITLE AT BIRTH. AUTUMN WAS BORN AND BROUGHT UP A ROMAN CATHOLIC BUT RENOUNCED HER FAITH SHORTLY BEFORE THEIR WEDDING IN MAY 2008, SO HER HUSBAND TO BE DID NOT HAVE TO GIVE UP HIS CLAIM TO THE THRONE. THE COUPLE ARE LIVING IN HONG KONG WHERE PHILLIPS WORKS IN THE SPONSORSHIP DIVISION OF THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THEY WILL RETURN TO THE UK FOR THE BIRTH. THEIR DECISION TO ACCEPT £500,000 FROM HELLO! MAGAZINE FOR EXCLUSIVE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR WEDDING CEREMONY, FEATURING THE QUEEN, PRINCE CHARLES, AND PRINCE HARRY, CAUSED CONTROVERSY TWO YEARS AGO. SEVERAL SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY EXPRESSED THEIR DISPLEASURE AND BUCKINGHAM PALACE LATER MADE CLEAR THAT IT REGARDED THE SALE AS A SERIOUS ERROR OF JUDGMENT. THE QUEEN HERSELF ALLOWED THE COUPLE TO USE FROGMORE HOUSE AT WINDSOR FOR THE RECEPTION FOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE COUPLE HAVE SINCE MADE AMENDS, HOWEVER, AND HAVE BEN INVITED TO JOIN THE ROYAL FAMILY FOR THEIR RECENT CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS AT SANDRINGHAM.

QUEEN ELIZABETH ADDRESSES THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Queen addresses United Nations General Assembly in New York
THE QUEEN TOLD THE UNITED NATIONS IT HAD 'MOVED FROM BEING A HIGH-MINDED ASPIRATION TO BEING A REAL FORCE FOR COMMON GOOD' AS SHE ADDRESSED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1957. IN A REFLECTIVE SPEECH TO AN ASSEMBLY WHOSE MEMBERS STATES HAVE INCREASED FROM 77 TO 192 SINCE HER LAST VISIT, TEH QUEEN PRAISED TEH UN FOR ITS WORK IN REDUCING CONFLICT, OFFERING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND TACKLING THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY. THE 'WAGING OF PEACE' WAS 'PERHAPS TEH HARDEST LEADERSHIP OF ALL', SHE SAID. HOWEVER, SHE WARNED THAT 'SO MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE', QUOTING DAG HAMMARSKJOLD, A FORMER UN SECRETARY-GENERAL, WHO 'ONCE SAID THAT 'CONSTANT ATTENTION BY A GOOD NURSE MAY BE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS A MAJOR OPERATION BY A SURGEON'. SHE ADDED: 'GOOD NURSES GET BETTER WITH PRACTICE; SADLY THE SUPPLY OF PATIENTS NEVER CEASES'. THE QUEEN ALSO WARNED THAT 'NEW CHALLENGES' SUCH AS TERRORISM AND GLOBAL WARMING HAD EMERGED THAT HAD 'TESTED THIS ORGANIZATION AS MUCH AS ITS MEMBER STATES'. ON CLIMATE CHANGE, 'CAREFUL ACCOUNT MUST BE TAKEN OF THE RISKS FACING SMALLER, MORE VULNERABLE NATIONS, MANY OF THEM FROM THE COMMONWEALTH', SHE SAID. SHE SAID SHE HOPED THAT, IN ANOTHER 53 YEARS, 'OUR SINCERITY, OUR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE A LEAD, AND OUR DETERMINATION TO DO THE RIGHT THING, WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME'. THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH SPENT ONLY FIVE HOURS IN NEW YORK, SWELTERING UNDER HEAT HEALTH WARNINGS AS TEMPERATURES SOARED TO A RECORD 103 DEGREES. THEY WERE GREETED AT THE UN's MANHATTAN HEADQUARTERS BY BEN KI-MOON, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, WHO TOLD THE ASSEMBLY THE QUEEN WAS AN 'ANCHOR FOR OUR AGE' AND A 'LEADING SYMBOL OF GRACE, CONSTANCY AND DIGNITY'. AFTER ADDRESSING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE QUEEN BRIEFLY MET COMMONWEALTH LEADERS BEFORE SHE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SITE OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. A BUCKINGHAM PALACE SPOKESMAN SAID THE QUEEN WAS USE TO THE HEAT AND WAS TAKING NO EXTRA PRECAUTIONS.

QUEEN 'RECYCLES' EVENING GOWN FOR STATE DINNER IN TORONTO

SHE HAS DESCRIBED IT AS 'A VERY USEFUL DRESS', AND THE QUEEN PROVED THE VERSATILITY OF HER FAVORITE EVENING GOWN LAST NIGHT AT A LAVISH STATE BANQUET IN TORONTO. THE GOWN, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY WORN TO A STATE DINNER IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO LAST AUTUMN, HAD BEEN 'RECYCLED' BY THE QUEEN'S DRESSER AND PERSONAL ASSISTANT ANGELA KELLY. THE DRESS, WHICH HAD BEEN DECORATED WITH THE CARIBBEAN COUNTRY'S NATIONAL BIRDS, THE SCARLET IBIS AND CHIRICO, WAS TRANSFORMED WITH SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS FOR LAST NIGHT'S EVENT. THE SEAMSTRESSES REMOVED THE APPLIQUED BIRDS FROM THE TULLE LACE, WHICH IS EMBROIDERED WITH SEED PEARLS AND SEQUINS, AND STITCHED DOZENS OF CRYSTALS ONTO IT INSTEAD. AS A TRIBUTE TO CANADA, ONE OF THE QUEEN'S REALMS, THE CRYSTALS FORMED MAPLE LEAFS BOTH LARGE AND SMALL RUNNING UP THE DRESS'S RIGHT SLEEVE AND SHOULDER. THE INTERLOCKING LEAVES CAUGHT THE LIGHT AND WERE DESIGNED TO BE A BOLD STATEMENT AT LAST NIGHT'S DINNER HOSTED BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT IN HONOR OF ITS QUEEN. THE DRESS WAS COMPLEMENTED BY THE SOVEREIGN WEARING QUEEN MARY'S STUNNING TIARA. THE 'RECYCLING' OF A PREVIOUSLY WORN GOWN BY THE QUEEN IS SOMETHING SHE HAS DONE BEFORE, AND LAST NIGHT'S SPECTACULAR 'MAPLE LEAF GOWN' FOLLOWS IN LONG TRADITION OF THEMED DIPLOMATIC EMBROIDERY GOING RIGHT BACK TO THE 1953 CORONATION WHEN THE QUEEN HAD EMBLEMS OF AL HER REALMS SEWN INTO HER DRESS.

THE QUEEN VISITS THE QUEEN'S PLATE STAKES IN TORONTO

RECENTLY THE QUEEN SHOWED HER SOCIAL GRACES WHEN CANADIAN RACECOURSE OWNER COMMITTED AN ETIQUETTE FAUX PAS BY PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND HER. IF SHE WAS TAKEN ABACK BY THE REPEATED FAUX PAS BY HER CANADIAN ADMIRERS, HER MAJESTY WAS TOO DIGNIFIED TO SHOW IT. THE QUEEN ENDURED THE SMALL SERIES OF ROYAL PROTOCOL WHILE ATTENDING A PRESTIGIOUS HORSE RACE ON HER STATE VISIT TO CANADA. THEY BEGAN WHEN DAVID WILMOT, CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP THAT OWNS THE RACECOURSE, BROUGHT HIS HAND CLOSE TO THE SMALL OF THE QUEEN'S BACK WHEN MEETING HER AHEAD OF THE QUEEN'S PLATE STAKES IN TORONTO. WHEN THE ROYAL MET DOM ROMEO, THE OWNER OF THE WINING HORSE, AFTER THE COMPETITION HE APPEARED TO PUT HIS ARM AROUND HER IN THE UNUSUAL SWELTERING HEAT. IT WAS THEN THE TURN OF THE WINNING JOCKEY TO TRY TO MAKE UP FOR HIS COLLEAGUES' GAFFES, BY EXECUTING TWO BACK-BREAKING BOWS. BRAZILIAN-BORN EURICO ROSA DA SILVA SWOOPED SO LOW IN FRONT OF THE MONARCH THAT HIS HEAD WAS LEVEL WITH HIS WAIST. WHEN THE DIMINUTIVE RIDER STEPPED FORWARD TO SHAKE THE ROYAL'S HAND, AGAIN OUT OF KEEPING WITH ETIQUETTE, HE BENT OVER AGAIN. IT IS USUALLY CONSIDERED A BREACH OF PROTOCOL TO TOUCH THE QUEEN. BUT THE AVID HORSE RACING ENTHUSIAST APPEARED UNCONCERNED. LAST YEAR AMERICAN FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA PUT HER ARM AROUND THE SOVEREIGN AND RUBBED HER SHOULDER DURING A DRINKS RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. THE MOVE RAISED EYEBROWS, BUT THE QUEEN RECIPROCATED FOR A FEW MOMENTS. YESTERDAY WAS THE QUEEN'S FORTH VISIT TO THE QUEEN'S PLATE STAKES, WHICH IS CANADA'S OLDEST THOROUGHBRED COMPETITION. THE FIRST WAS IN 1959, ON ITS 100th ANNIVERSARY, AND SHE RETURNED IN 1973 AND 1997. THE QUEEN'S NINE-DAY TOUR OF NORTH AMERICA CULMINATES WITH A VISIT TO GROUND ZERO IN NEW YORK, WHERE THE TWIN TOWERS ONCE STOOD, AND THE QUEEN'S FIRST SPEECH BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY SINCE 1957.

CHIVAS ROYAL SALUTE 62 GUN SALUTE

THE CHIVAS BROTHERS HAVE RECENTLY RELEASED THE ROYAL SALUTE 62 GUN SALUTE IN RESPECT TO ITS ROYAL SALUTE RANGE OF LUXURY WHISKEYS. THE FINEST WHISKEY TAKES ITS NAME FROM THE 62 GUN SALUTE WHICH IS HELD EVERY YEAR AT THE TOWER OF LONDON TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE QUEEN'S CORONATION. THE ROYAL SALUTE 62 GUN SALUTE IS A BLEND OF VARIOUS WHISKEYS AT LEAST 40 YEARS OLD WHICH IS HOUSED IN A HAND CRAFTED BOTTLE CAREFULLY MADE AT DARTINGTON CRYSTAL AND FEATURES THE ROYAL SALUTE CREST PAINTED IN 24 CARAT GOLD. THE BOTTLE FEATURES A CRYSTAL STOPPER SET AND A GOLD PLATED CROWN AND IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM CHIVAS IN LIMITED QUANTITIES FOR AN ESTIMATED $2,000.

TEH QUEEN CELEBRATES CANADA DAY

DRESSED IN RED, AND WEARING A DIAMOND MAPLE LEAF BROOCH, THE QUEEN HELPED CANADA CELEBRATE ITS BIRTHDAY, AS THOUSANDS TURNED OUT FOR A TELEVISED PARTY TO MARK THE HISTORIC OCCASION. THE QUEEN TOLD CANADIANS OF THE 'ENORMOUS ADMIRATION' SHE FELT WATCHING THE COMMONWEALTH COUNTRY GROW AND MATURE 'WHILE REMAINING TRUE TO ITS HISTORY, ITS DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER AND ITS VALUES.' SHE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, ON A NINE DAY TOUR OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATION, WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS, BOTH FORMAL POMP AND MILITARY PAGEANT AND A RELAXED POP CONCERT. THE IMMENSE CROWDS PACKING PARLIAMENT HILL IN THE CAPITAL, OTTAWA, WERE A SEA OF RED AND WHITE, THE NATIONAL COLOURS, WHICH MANY SUPPORTERS WAVING THE CANADIAN FLAG. MINDFUL OF THE COUNTRY'S COLOURS AND ICONS, THE QUEEN WORE A RED CHIFFON DRESS AND JACKET, SET OFF BY A WHITE STRAW HAT WITH A SCARLET FLOWER, AND A DIAMOND MAPLE LEAF BROOCH ON HER SHOULDER. WHEN SHE STOOD UP TO GIVE A SPEECH, SHE DREW A LARGE CHEER FROM THE CROWDS WHEN SHE TOLD THEM: 'THANK YOU FOR INVITING PRINCE PHILIP AND ME TO JOIN YOU ALL ON THIS SPECIAL DAY.' MUCH OF HER ADDRESS WAS DELIVERED IN FRENCH, AND SHE ADDED: 'DURING MY LIFETIME, I HAVE BEEN A WITNESS TO THIS COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN HALF ITS HISTORY SINCE CONFEDERATION. THIS NATION HAS DEDICATED ITSELF TO BEING A CARING HOME FOR ITS OWN, A SANCTUARY FOR OTHERS AND AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD." THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE ARRIVED IN A HORSE-DRAWN LANDAU ESCORTED BY A GROUP OF ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE, THE MOUNTIES. THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE CHEERED AND WAVED AT BY THE CROWDS, SOME OF WHOM HAD WAITED FOR SEVERAL HOURS, QUEUEING BEFORE OFFICIALS ARRIVED TO START ORGANIZING THE DAY. THE QUEEN INSPECTED TWO IMMACULATE ROWS OF THE CANADIAN FORCES' CEREMONIAL GUARD, COMPLETE WITH RED TUNICS AND BEARSKINS, LIKE THEIR BRITISH COUNTERPARTS, THE GUARDS DIVISION, AND THEN TOOK THE ROYAL SALUTE AS THEY MARCHED OFF. SHE AND THE DUKE THEN JOINED PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER AND HIS WIFE FOR THE SHORT WALK TO THE STAGE WHERE THEY TOOK THEIR SEATS FOR THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. THE ARTISTS WHO PLAYED REFLECTED THE COUNTRY'S DIVERSE MUSIC SCENE FROM ALTERNATIVE COUNTRY AND RAP TO SOUL, GOSPEL AND POP AND SANG IN BOTH FRENCH AND ENGLISH. ON 1.JULY.1867 THE DOMINION OF CANADA WAS BORN WHEN THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN ACT UNITED THE BRITISH COLONIES OF NOVA SCOTIA AND NEW BRUNSWICK WITH THE PROVINCE OF CANADA TO FORM A NEW NATION. THE DATE IS CELEBRATED ACROSS THE COUNTRY EVERY YEAR AND IS ALSO A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

THE QUEEN BEGINS CANADIAN TOUR AMIDST A TORRENTIAL RAINSTORM

A TORRENTIAL RAINSTORM THREATENED THE BLOW THE QUEEN AWAY WHEN SHE ARRIVED IN CANADA FOR A NINE-DAY TOUR OF THE COMMONWEALTH COUNTRY. AS BRITAIN ENJOYED SWELTERING TEMPERATURES, THE QUEEN'S CHARTERED AIR CANADA PLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, IN A DOWNPOUR THAT SOAKED WAITING DIGNITARIES SHELTERING UNDER UMBRELLAS. WHEN MEMBERS OF THE QUEEN'S ROYAL HOUSEHOLD EMERGED FROM THE AIRCRAFT, SOME OF THEIR UMBRELLAS WERE BLOWN INSIDE OUT AS THEY WALKED DOWN THE STEPS ONTO THE TARMAC THAT RESEMBLED A LAKE. THE QUEEN, IN A BEIGE RAINCOAT, NEEDED ONE OF HER TRADEMARK TRANSPARENT DOME UMBRELLAS TO FEND OFF THE LASHING RAIN AND HUNG ON TO A RAIL AS SHE MADE HER WAY DOWN TO GROUND LEVEL. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WAS A FEW PACES BEHIND HER BUT SIMPLY CARRIED HIS BLACK UMBRELLA IN HIS HAND. THE LINE-UP OF WAITING OFFICIALS AND NOVA SCOTIA POLITICIANS HELD ON TO THEIR UMBRELLAS AS THE QUEEN CAME TOWARDS THEM, BUT THE WIND WHIPPED THEIRS INSIDE OUT ALSO. AFTER STAYING LONG ENOUGH TO COLLECT A POSY OF FLOWERS FROM A NINE YEAR OLD GIRL ANGEL LEE JORDAN, WHO MOMENTS BEFORE HAD GATHERED HER DRESS INTO HER ARMS AGAINST THE TORRENT, THE ROYAL COUPLE LEFT IN A WAITING CHAUFFEUR-DRIVEN LIMOUSINE. THE WET WEATHER THREATENED TO WASH OUT AN OUTDOOR CEREMONIAL WELCOME FOR THE QUEEN AND DUKE AND ANOTHER EVENT FEATURING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. THE ROYAL COUPLE'S NINE-DAY TOUR WILL CELEBRATE THE COMMONWEALTH COUNTRY'S ACHIEVEMENTS AT A LOCAL, NATIONAL AND GLOBAL LEVEL. THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE WILL TRAVEL HUNDREDS OF MILES MEETING OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS, LEADING BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO HAVE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE LIFE OF THE NATION.

QUEEN'S PONY WINNS BEST IN ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW

THE QUEEN MAY BE NOTED FOR HER LOVE OF HORSES AND HORSE RACING, BUT NOW SHE HAS NOTCHED UP HER FIRST SCOTTISH WINNER FOR SOME TIME WITH A PONY. IT MAY BE A FAR CRY FROM THE RACES AT ROYAL ASCOT, BUT THE MONARCH HAS HAD HER FIRST WIN AT THE ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW FOR MANY YEARS, IT HAS RECENTLY EMERGED. BALMORAL MANDARIN, A YEARLING HIGHLAND PONY COLT, WON ITS CLASS AND THEN WENT ON TO WIN THE BREED'S RESERVE MALE CHAMPIONSHIP. THE HOME-BRED COLT, BY ULLEAM OF CROILA AND OUT OF MISTY MORN OF TURNHILL, IS ONE OF 35 PONIES THE QUEEN KEEPS AT BALMORAL ON ROYAL DEESIDE. SYLVIA ORMISTON RE-ESTABLISHED THE BALMORAL STUD THREE YEARS AGO. HER HUSBAND, CAMERON, IS STOCK MANAGER AT THE ESTATE AND HAS ACHIEVED CONSIDERABLE SHOW SUCCESS WITH THE HIGHLAND CATTLE THE QUEEN KEEPS AT BALMORAL TOO. ORMISTON SAID: 'I'VE BEEN SPEAKING TO SEVERAL PEOPLE HERE AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE QUITE A FEW YEARS SINCE THE QUEEN LAST HAD A SERIOUS WIN AT THE ROYAL HIGHLAND. THIS HAS BEEN MY FIRST OUTING TO THE HIGHLAND WITH PONIES FROM BALMORAL.' THE QUEEN, A SKILLED HORSEWOMAN, TAKES A CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN THE HIGHLAND PONY BREED. SHE IS PATRON OF THE HIGHLAND PONY SOCIETY.