Queen pays tribute to 'Last Tommy'

The Queen, the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have led tributes to the last surviving British soldier of the First World War, who has died at the age of 111.

Harry Patch, known as the Last Tommy, passed away peacefully just before 9am on Saturday at Fletcher House nursing home in Wells, Somerset.

He had become Britain's oldest man when another veteran of the war, Henry Allingham, died a week ago on July 18 aged 113.

The only remaining known British-born veteran of the First World War is now Claude Choules, 108, who served in the Royal Navy and now lives in Perth, Australia.

Mr Patch, a machine-gunner, served in the trenches as a private from June to September 1917 and fought in the battle of Passchendaele in which more than 70,000 British troops died. He was born on June 17, 1898 and grew up in Combe Down, near Bath.

The Queen said: "I was saddened to hear of the death of Harry Patch, the last British survivor or the First World War. We will never forget the bravery and enormous sacrifice of his generation, which will continue to serve as an example to us all."

Prince Charles said nothing could give him greater pride than to pay tribute to Mr Patch. He told the BBC: "The Great War is a chapter in our history we must never forget, so many sacrifices were made, so many young lives lost.

"Harry was involved in numerous bouts of heavy fighting on the front line but amazingly remained unscathed for a while. Tragically one night in September 1917 when in the morass in the Ypres Salient, a German shrapnel shell burst overhead badly wounding Harry and killing three of his closest friends.

"In spite of the comparatively short time that he served with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Harry always cherished the extraordinary camaraderie that the appalling conditions engendered in the battalion and remained loyal to the end."

The Prime Minister said: "I know that the whole nation will unite to honour the memory, and to take pride in the generation that fought the Great War. The noblest of all the generations has left us, but they will never be forgotten. We say today with still greater force: 'We will remember them'."

Source: Press Association

The Young Victoria

The history books tell us that she was the ruler of the United Kingdom of Great Britain from 1837 to 1901. Her time in power was the longest of any ruler in British history and came to be known as the Victorian Era. With this, we immediately conjure up all those images of a frumpy over-weight woman dressed in black; but soon, the upcoming motion picture, "The Young Victoria", will present a different view of this dynamic British monarch. "The Young Victoria" will chronicle the early and often turbulent years, of a young girl who became queen of Great Britain. Victoria was a young girl of barely 18 when she was crowned, vivacious, fond of parties, and prone to flirting with the gentlemen of the court, and even her ministers. The film will focus on her storied romance and legendary marriage to Prince Albert. Martin Scorsese [American] and Graham King [British] have teamed-up again [The Departed, The Aviator and Gangs of New York] to retell the story of this famous queen with a little help from the outspoken Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. Graham King told Variety Magazine, "We all think we know Queen Victoria from the latter part of her life, but in fact she was an amazing, dynamic, romantic personality from a very early age that is largely unknown. I had been searching for a British project for many years so I am just thrilled to bring her story to life." Although no names have signed yet, "The Young Victoria" will be a prestige production with a big-budget and big stars. Scorsese will co-produce.

Source: squidoo.com

Plumed Prince William becomes a knight

WINDSOR, England (AFP) - Wearing an ostrich-plumed hat and velvet robes, Prince William was on Monday made a Royal Knight of the Garter in a ceremony full of regal pomp.

The prince, second in line to the throne, was formally appointed to the most senior order of British chivalry at Saint George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, west of London.

William, who turns 26 on Saturday, was watched by his girlfriend Kate Middleton, 26, and brother Prince Harry, 23.

The Most Noble Order of the Garter is the oldest order of chivalry in the world, established in 1348 by the queen's ancestor king Edward III.

William is now a Royal Knight Companion and the 1,000th Knight of the Garter.

Wearing their distinctive white ostrich plumes, blue velvet robes and black velvet hats, the knights and ladies were watched by about 7,000 members of the public as they walked from the castle to the chapel for the church service.

Queen Elizabeth II, William's paternal grandmother, formally installed the prince as a Royal Knight.

She officially presented her grandson with the regalia, including a blue garter, sash, robe or mantle and star during an investiture in the Throne Room at Windsor Castle.

The order has a maximum of 24 non-royal members, personally chosen by the sovereign, who is also a member. It is awarded for outstanding public service and achievement.

The queen's children, Princes Charles, Andrew and Edward and Princess Anne are among the royal members of the order.

Former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major are members.

Ridiculas UN report: Should Britain scrap Royals?

The United Nations has said that the UK must consider whether they should keep the Royal Family.

The UN's Human Rights Council said the Government should 'think' about holding a referendum on the issue, to see if people would prefer to live in a Republican state with a written constitution.

The monarchy costs each adult in Britain around 62p a year - but even groups representing taxpayers said there was no case for getting rid of it.

The council has 29 members including Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Sri Lanka.

It was the Sri Lankan envoy who raised concerns over the British monarchy.

But a Royal spokesman has said the public haven't haven't displayed any appetite for a referendum.

The UN report was also critical of the UK's treatment of immigrants from Sudan.

Syria accused the UK of discriminating against Muslims and Iran complained about the UK's record on tackling sexual discrimination.

Source: ITN - Friday, June 13 05:01 pm

Prince William To Be Made Knight Of Garter

To mark St George's Day, the Queen has made her senior grandson, Prince William, the 1,000th Knight of the Garter in the 660th anniversary of Britain's oldest order of chivalry, which was founded in 1348 by King Edward III.

William will be invested by his grandmother at a private ceremony soon, after which he will be able to wear the well-known blue sash across his left shoulder and the silver star with the red cross of St George on his chest, as monarchs, royalty and many famous Englishmen have done for centuries.

On June 16, at Windsor Castle, he will be invested with a blue velvet garter around the left leg, below the knee, with the motto, in gold letters, "Honi soit qui mal y pense", which translates as "Shame to those who think evil of it".

Afterwards he will process through the castle wearing dark blue robes, a Tudor hat and ostrich feathers to St George's Chapel to be 'installed' under heraldic banners, helmets and the brass plates of knights that date back to the foundation.

He has been created a Royal Knight, which means that he does not constitute one of the limited number of 26 Knights, or Ladies, Companion that make up the core of the Order.

The statutes limited membership to the English monarch, the Prince of Wales and 24 other Knights Companion.

This is why William's father became a Knight of the Garter at the tender age of nine, because this is when the Queen made him Prince of Wales - and the Garter comes with the job.

One day, when he becomes king, William will be head of the order, or Sovereign.

The first Knight of the Garter was the Black Prince, who was Edward III's eldest son.

The Black Prince led English troops successfully against the French during the opening campaigns of the Hundred Years War, which was about King Edward's claim to the French throne.

For this reason, the colour of the order is blue, which was the royal livery of the kings of France.

In the strict order of knights, William appears as 999. However, historians compiling this list have overlooked the founder, Edward III, who was the uncounted knight, making William the 1000th.

Lord Luce and Sir Thomas Dunne have also been nominated today.

Recent famous knights include Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Montgomery and, more recently Baroness Thatcher.

The Queen opened the order to women in 1987.

By Sky News SkyNews - Wednesday, April 23 12:55 am

Queen revisits wedding day memories on tour of Palace exhibition

27 JULY 2007

The Queen enjoyed a trip down memory lane this week as she toured an exhibition marking her 60th wedding anniversary. Pausing in front of one particular glass case the 81-year-old monarch took a moment to admire a beautiful ivory gown - the one she wore for her 1947 wedding to Prince Philip. Standing beside the Norman Hartnell creation and its spectacular 13-foot train was the groom's smart naval uniform.

The exhibition, entitled A Royal Wedding - which organisers hope will reflect the mood of public rejoicing that swept through Britain after the end of the World War II - also features film footage of the celebrations. Captured on camera were behind-the-scenes preparations for the spectacular Westminster Abbey ceremony and the sight outside of royal fans, who'd camped for up to 19 hours along the procession route to cheer on the bride-to-be as she passed in a horse-drawn carriage.

Other highlights of the collection include wedding gifts given to the then Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh by Pope Pius XII, Mahatma Gandi and US President Harry Truman. Also on display are items from the monarch's jewellery collection, including a diamond bracelet presented to her by Prince Philip to mark their special day.

The exhibition is included in Buckingham Palace's summer opening, which runs from July 28 to September 25. During this time visitors have access to the Palace's lavishly furnished State Rooms where part of the royal collection can be seen. Items on display include paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer, valuable pieces of sculpture and some fine examples of English and French furniture.

http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2007/07/27/queen-anniversary/

Queen's grandson could lose succession rights: reports

AFP - Friday, August 3 08:18 am

LONDON (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II's eldest grandchild could lose his place in the line of succession to the British throne if he marries his Catholic fiancee, newspapers reported Friday.

Citing sleuthing work by Catholic weekly The Tablet, newspapers said Peter Phillips' Canadian fiancee Autumn Kelly, 31, was baptised as a Catholic in Quebec.

The 1701 Act of Settlement bars monarchs or their heirs from becoming or marrying Catholics.

Phillips, 29, is the only son of the monarch's daughter Princess Anne and her first husband Mark Phillips. He was Queen Elizabeth's first grandchild and is 10th in line to the throne.

He met Kelly, a management consultant, at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal in 2003. The engagement was announced last Saturday.

Kelly was baptised in 1978 at St John Fisher parish church in Pointe-Claire, a Montreal suburb.

A spokesman for the church told The Daily Telegraph newspaper that Kelly's mother Kitty had authorised the information to be disclosed, saying her daughter was proud of her religion.

Buckingham Palace, the queen's official residence, told the newspaper that a wedding date had not been set and "if a decision has to be made, it will be made at the time of the marriage."

The fact that Catholics are barred from the line of succession angers many within the church. The monarch is the head of the Church of England, but there is no restriction against the sovereign marrying a member of a faith other than Roman Catholicism.

The Guardian newspaper's People column speculated that the law would be swiftly changed if Prince William, second in line to the throne, seemed set to marry a Catholic.

Prince Michael of Kent, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth and a grandson of king George V, lost his place at 15th in the line of succession when he married Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz, a Roman Catholic, in 1978.

Phillips's younger sister Zara is an accomplished horsewoman and is currently the World and European eventing champion. He has earned a cap for the Scottish Schools rugby union team.

After graduating in sports science from the University of Exeter, south-west England, Phillips worked for the Jaguar and Williams Formula One racing teams and currently works at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Like his sister he does not have a royal title and does not carry out any official engagements. He generally keeps a low public profile, although he is often seen at important national events.

Remembering the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

On 2 June 1953 Queen Elizabeth II has been crowned at a coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in London.
In front of more than 8,000 guests, including prime ministers and heads of state from around the Commonwealth, she took the Coronation Oath and is now bound to serve her people and to maintain the laws of God.

After being handed the four symbols of authority - the orb, the sceptre, the rod of mercy and the royal ring of sapphire and rubies - the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Geoffrey Fisher, placed St Edward's Crown on her head to complete the ceremony.

A shout of "God Save the Queen" was heard and gun salutes were fired as crowds cheered.

The Archbishop and fellow bishops then paid homage to Queen Elizabeth II.

In a radio broadcast the Queen said: "Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust".

An estimated three million people lined the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the new monarch as she made her way to and from Buckingham Palace in the golden state coach.

The ceremony was watched by millions more around the world as the BBC set up their biggest ever outside broadcast to provide live coverage of the event on radio and television. Street parties were held throughout the UK as people crowded round television sets to watch the ceremony.

Fireworks

The crowds, some of whom had camped out overnight to ensure a prime position, were rewarded when the Queen and other members of her family, including the Queen Mother, appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

Despite the overcast weather conditions the RAF marked the occasion with a fly past down the Mall.

A fireworks display then lit up the skies above Victoria Embankment.

The Queen replaced her father, King George VI, as monarch following his death on 6 February 1952. After 16 years on the throne he passed away in his sleep and his 25-year-old daughter Elizabeth immediately became Queen.

The princess formally proclaimed herself Queen and Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith in February 1952 but the amount of planning and a wish for a sunny day for the occasion led to the long but excited wait for this day.

Knighthood for Microsoft's Gates

2 March 2005: Knighthood for Bill Gates

The king of computer software Bill Gates has received an honorary knighthood from the Queen.
Mr Gates, 48, the world's wealthiest man, said it was "a great honour" to be recognised for his business skills and for his work on poverty reduction.

The Queen had spoken to him about using computers, he said after a private audience with her.

As an American citizen he cannot use the title "Sir" but will be entitled to put the letters KBE after his name.

'Travel talk'

The entrepreneur was handed an insignia to make him a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

We talked about using computers, and the foundation, and about her travels and ours
Bill Gates
He was joined at Buckingham Palace by wife Melinda.

"It's not as natural [using computers] for the Queen as it is for young people," he said.

"She was very nice.

"We talked about using computers, and the foundation, and about her travels and ours."

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is currently working on a global health programme in the developing world.

Mrs Gates said: "We talked a lot about the developing world - it was very engaging."

Research laboratory

Before the private audience, Mr Gates met the Duke of Edinburgh, who is chancellor of Cambridge University, to talk about Microsoft Research Cambridge.

The research laboratory is the first of its kind outside the US.

Honorary awards to foreign nationals are conferred by the Queen on the advice of the foreign secretary.

Jack Straw said he was "delighted" Mr Gates had been honoured.

He added: "He is one of the most important global business leaders of this age."

Aids vaccine

Mr Gates set up Microsoft in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen, and by last year was worth an estimated £28bn.

HONORARY KNIGHTS
Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof
Film director Steven Spielberg
Afghan President Hamid Karzai
Opera star Placido Domingo
The Reverend Billy Graham
DNA pioneer James Watson
Comedian Spike Milligan
Former New York mayor Rudi Giuliani
He and his wife, who have three children, are also known for their charitable work.

As well as investing millions in research for an Aids vaccine, their foundation has also established a scholarship scheme to enable the brightest students to go to Cambridge University.

But Microsoft has been convicted of anti-competitive behaviour in the USA and is being investigated in Europe.

Other Americans who have received the KBE include former president George Bush Senior, former Mayor of New York Rudolph Giuliani and film director Steven Spielberg.

Rudolph Giuliani 'humbled' by knighthood

NEW YORK --New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani received the news that he is to receive an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II with the words: "Just call me Rudy."

Giuliani received the honor on Monday for his "outstanding help and support to the bereaved British families in New York" in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Honorary titles of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire are also being conferred on the city's police and fire commissioners.

The titles were announced during a City Hall visit by the Queen's second son, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.

Giuliani will not be able to use the title "Sir Rudolph" because he is not a UK citizen, but he can put the initials "KBE" (Knight of the British Empire) after his name.

He said he was "humbled and gratified" by the honor, adding: "I feel it is for everyone."

The duke said: "It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be in New York again."

"I have just one small announcement to make and that is that it gives me the greatest of pleasure to announce that Her Majesty the Queen has announced the following."

He then read the full citation giving the reasons for the Mayor's honor, which according to the UK Press Association said: "Rudolph Giuliani has been appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his outstanding help and support to the bereaved British families."

The duke said Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen were being recognized for "remarkable dedication and professionalism" in "saving British lives and assisting the families of the British dead."

He added: "We all admire the way all the emergency services have conducted themselves, and the Mayor and the city of New York over the last month."

The announcement included a statement from UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who said Giuliani "provided heroic leadership of the City of New York in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center."

Giuliani said: "I am sure I speak for the police commissioner and the fire commissioner when I say that this award, and these awards, are really for the actions of the people of our city.

"We are very gratified by this but we see it as an award being given to all the people of New York City."

He added: "From the moment this happened, we could not have had a more loyal friend or a stronger support than the British government. It has been a great support for us."

He then joked: "Just call me Rudy -- I always like that."

Kerik was honored for "remarkable dedication and professionalism in assisting the relatives of British victims" and Von Essen was cited for "remarkable dedication and professionalism in attempting to save the lives of British nationals." Both can use the initials CBE after their names.

Up to 200 Britons are listed as missing or killed in the September 11 attacks.

Giuliani joins a prestigious list of Americans to have been made honorary knights.

They include former presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, British-born actor Bob Hope, Secretary of State Colin Powell and film director Steven Spielberg.

The duke, the first member of the British Royal family to visit New York since the September 11 attacks, met Giuliani as part of a three-day visit to the city. He later rang the bell to open the New York Stock Exchange.

He was also due to lay a wreath at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, which has become a shrine for the British dead in the attack, and thank clergy and parishioners at the tiny church for welcoming the mourning relatives of the dead.