tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41664734198811157452024-03-13T01:18:57.717+00:00Rafe Heydel-MankooUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-9786890557073478452019-06-03T13:01:00.000+00:002019-06-03T14:03:23.685+00:00A PROTOCOL PRIMER: THE QUEEN & PRESIDENT TRUMP's UK STATE VISIT - 2019 All You Need To Know<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7DecYo5RbqJihdLJy_UIXijB7FqUoqeSpJBpfeAbrncMzq1qco5TGtP7S40CP_PqBNj-Dp8k3E1ezzzR4NwlCcPK4xFV9CPLB7WzppXT3oNo_0hlZg3AfaiuDb-qrmDIHrY_ahXKXEg/s1600/LB5CBPUFKEI6TKDQXHCBDXCDCI+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7DecYo5RbqJihdLJy_UIXijB7FqUoqeSpJBpfeAbrncMzq1qco5TGtP7S40CP_PqBNj-Dp8k3E1ezzzR4NwlCcPK4xFV9CPLB7WzppXT3oNo_0hlZg3AfaiuDb-qrmDIHrY_ahXKXEg/s400/LB5CBPUFKEI6TKDQXHCBDXCDCI+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1. The Queen & 12 US Presidents<br />2. State Visits in The Queen's Reign</span><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />3. The State Visit of President Trump<br /><br />a) Presidential Protocol Gaffes: <br /> * To Bow or Not to Bow? </span><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /> * Toasts </span></span><br />b) Why won't President Trump:<br /> * stay at Buckingham Palace?<br /> * address Parliament?<br /> * receive the Household Cavalry's Sovereign's Escort?<br /><br />e) Westminster Abbey Wreath Laying - US Connections<br /><br />f) State Banquet<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>THE QUEEN & 12 US PRESIDENTS </b></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiwwSfVCJV0X_H1_mtSwFfSw3TIC8NHcqg0f4cv91ggMx1SOepCR45gh6-v87CTIVFJP2N203axukD9e7jdr7zHqC4bpE1MNBgCUO7pAUGVqk0wcJLJJ20vIm9bVHPIchE_6secQZ1Th6/s1600/queen-elizabeth-president-1531508792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiwwSfVCJV0X_H1_mtSwFfSw3TIC8NHcqg0f4cv91ggMx1SOepCR45gh6-v87CTIVFJP2N203axukD9e7jdr7zHqC4bpE1MNBgCUO7pAUGVqk0wcJLJJ20vIm9bVHPIchE_6secQZ1Th6/s400/queen-elizabeth-president-1531508792.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM The Queen with Presidents Kennedy, Ford, Reagan and Obama</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Including President Trump, HM The
Queen has met 12 of the last 13 American presidents, beginning with President
Harry Truman, whom the then Princess Elizabeth met in 1951. </span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUaLrHTZM0OyXVh8VQJ1h3Z-vl5kBEldbB1ZMb339uHrhc5M-5PTs-B9tbKmPAast0JGQOdpNbGSj_bbbQ74vMUh5GeMA7BEboX3pW8ExUAL0OohObhtkztfcKBlGppQm7I-LUK_1xqXT/s1600/princess-elizabeth-with-harry-s-truman-canadian-embassy-nov-1-1951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="800" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUaLrHTZM0OyXVh8VQJ1h3Z-vl5kBEldbB1ZMb339uHrhc5M-5PTs-B9tbKmPAast0JGQOdpNbGSj_bbbQ74vMUh5GeMA7BEboX3pW8ExUAL0OohObhtkztfcKBlGppQm7I-LUK_1xqXT/s400/princess-elizabeth-with-harry-s-truman-canadian-embassy-nov-1-1951.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Truman & Princess Elizabeth (later HM The Queen)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The missing president? Lyndon Johnson –
a shame perhaps given their shared love of dogs. That being said, The Queen might not
have approved of the late president's habit of lifting his beagles’ by their
ears. <br />
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The first president The Queen met in her capacity as Sovereign was President Eisenhower
in 1957. During this visit to North America, The Queen wore two metaphorical crowns, acting separately as
Queen of the United Kingdom and Queen of Canada. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKFCBT1y875xk9IfRto6eqr9O-wK4NCE1CRk9XgSLtr-5JeSTpUux_6pFZEQgEF-2r28tATQ-3qFLAkr7iFtYUcD4yFu0HCDlVP9RK9eLRSjEMyKMNLS8sfir3CzqnJOoZo8QpAZrQ0uB/s1600/GettyImages-3438713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKFCBT1y875xk9IfRto6eqr9O-wK4NCE1CRk9XgSLtr-5JeSTpUux_6pFZEQgEF-2r28tATQ-3qFLAkr7iFtYUcD4yFu0HCDlVP9RK9eLRSjEMyKMNLS8sfir3CzqnJOoZo8QpAZrQ0uB/s320/GettyImages-3438713.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM The Queen of Canada & President Eisenhower</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">As
Queen of Canada, and in advance of opening Canada's St. Lawrence
Seaway, Queen Elizabeth II hosted a reception for President Eisenhower
in the Canadian embassy in Washington D.C. stating: “I’m going home to
Canada
tomorrow”. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Whilst many US presidents have visited the UK, only two received a state visit prior
to President Trump, and these were his immediate predecessors: President
Obama in 2011 and President George W. Bush in 2003.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lvS76n11GjE9W0y8RtUYoZruqwhyPAVWX6cBfIcud3XZITLMrsa20iR4PPcUyZ7D6qDp66QjBwOXYCykGRPeSMailGCROv8fNRzSJ6QTfV8NjoABU2PLMNXEUi8qIzxatebW5XADflSL/s1600/gettyimages-2746937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lvS76n11GjE9W0y8RtUYoZruqwhyPAVWX6cBfIcud3XZITLMrsa20iR4PPcUyZ7D6qDp66QjBwOXYCykGRPeSMailGCROv8fNRzSJ6QTfV8NjoABU2PLMNXEUi8qIzxatebW5XADflSL/s640/gettyimages-2746937.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM The Queen & HRH The Duke of Edinburgh <br />
with President & Mrs. George W. Bush</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>STATE VISITS TO THE UK</b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZlheaXJLMZn6msrN3yE3qY50P4p1Xl6m3_YYxcmCmBxRcnceDBB9Qs6KpRjIqEFwEPRmCNQWMowl2R-EnwKGbiq2d2bKBlAxXnMwB5NQTN9SXkykClDtH1XqfY5iDTgZo5dmVHGk7i51/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="246" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZlheaXJLMZn6msrN3yE3qY50P4p1Xl6m3_YYxcmCmBxRcnceDBB9Qs6KpRjIqEFwEPRmCNQWMowl2R-EnwKGbiq2d2bKBlAxXnMwB5NQTN9SXkykClDtH1XqfY5iDTgZo5dmVHGk7i51/s400/index.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first state visit of The Queen's reign: <br />
Receiving HM King Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Starting
with TM King Gustav VI Adolf
and Queen Louise of Sweden in 1954, The Queen has hosted 113 state
visits
during her 67 year reign. Due to the amount of work involved, No. 10
& the Palace try to restrict the number of visits to two per year. <br /><br />But there are many exceptions to this rule: there were 3 state visits in 1960, 1963, 1966, 1972, 1973,
1985, 1988 and 1998. Only 1 state visit
was held in 1955, 1956, 1964, 1965, 1980, 1983, 1992, 2006, 2008, 2016, 2017,
2018, 2019. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">No state visits at all were held in
1952 (Accession), 1953 (Coronation), 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 1977 (Silver Jubilee),
2002 (Golden Jubilee)<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_PpioHiS0kNquRNbZwOvL7MYUT8z6L8abEC9xHhYtlaG1Xtc5xGIXc2KBT0jnq3Hvsj2Zxr_SymBLKHBJ3HQx8eNYHA2G_6PIJWN9GaV6Vyx6Cq6K3DUAPX81UasmCJBQNjajD6NoYF1/s1600/long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_PpioHiS0kNquRNbZwOvL7MYUT8z6L8abEC9xHhYtlaG1Xtc5xGIXc2KBT0jnq3Hvsj2Zxr_SymBLKHBJ3HQx8eNYHA2G_6PIJWN9GaV6Vyx6Cq6K3DUAPX81UasmCJBQNjajD6NoYF1/s640/long.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State Banquet at St. George's Hall in Windsor Castle<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The “royal” portion of a state visit can incorporate either London (as on this occasion) or Windsor
Castle (as with President Lech Walesa of Poland's state visit in 1991).</span></span><span id="goog_708331793"></span><span id="goog_708331794"></span>Whilst
not quite a state visit, the official
visit of HH Pope Benedict XVI was similar to a state visit and was held
at the
Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, with the little known Royal
Company of Archers replacing the more familiar red-coated guards seen in
London and Windsor.<br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHH-E3PZqJGp8B-U43XxLAcK4HVIzZbxirCaz1vIDamxsuCiE4FRh6KNnQCIw-YJKaq8vSmXA_rn_4kz6e_ypl3P0U3ZA25I5FxoRlkOLYSDa7NcPxtevNLIShW-uM4ArTBbmBfwhP0P6g/s1600/Pope-Benedict-Queen-Elizabeth-and-Prince-Philip-Inspect-the-Honor-Guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHH-E3PZqJGp8B-U43XxLAcK4HVIzZbxirCaz1vIDamxsuCiE4FRh6KNnQCIw-YJKaq8vSmXA_rn_4kz6e_ypl3P0U3ZA25I5FxoRlkOLYSDa7NcPxtevNLIShW-uM4ArTBbmBfwhP0P6g/s400/Pope-Benedict-Queen-Elizabeth-and-Prince-Philip-Inspect-the-Honor-Guard.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM The Queen & HH The Pope (now Pope Emeritus) Benedict XVI<br />
at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh</td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b><br />PRESIDENTIAL PROTOCOL GAFFES: </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>To Bow or Not To Bow?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">No one should expect the
President of the United States to bow to HM The Queen. Nor should the First Lady
be expected to curtsey (unless she wishes -- Nancy Reagan chose to do this but was under no obligation).
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdVTCL4jsPzNT1_2v1t5jyhLF12BX8oHBItm_DRzRGoj8NGKzR39fBiIQHIQqI7gvTnvaiOhKGgTls02QEfHN9PcaAaIHKn442xGLqMBgW378FW3M_LvPtN0E58n5kipBKuw0o4jrOYgM/s1600/bb22117e4bc2408980ed5da223874427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="580" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdVTCL4jsPzNT1_2v1t5jyhLF12BX8oHBItm_DRzRGoj8NGKzR39fBiIQHIQqI7gvTnvaiOhKGgTls02QEfHN9PcaAaIHKn442xGLqMBgW378FW3M_LvPtN0E58n5kipBKuw0o4jrOYgM/s320/bb22117e4bc2408980ed5da223874427.jpg" width="285" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">A Head of State is the equal of every other Head of State and so for one to bow to another is contrary to correct form.<br /><br />In
bizarre breaches of protocol President Obama performed
deep bows before the previous Emperor of Japan and the King of Saudi
Arabia. <br /><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-3l3DUG6ye-ZZRt3koL9B77ex_-cgxeYiy1NbcQdwkNCWh902phJUxs0jr0DRO_HSWCzVmqAUzd9HPQcLxlv_TpFvNDZAJ50YvFSUViaoVGqrBXQTdRoXurM9N9_3cyv_evHa1e70JFY/s1600/n-protocol-a-20190525-870x673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="870" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-3l3DUG6ye-ZZRt3koL9B77ex_-cgxeYiy1NbcQdwkNCWh902phJUxs0jr0DRO_HSWCzVmqAUzd9HPQcLxlv_TpFvNDZAJ50YvFSUViaoVGqrBXQTdRoXurM9N9_3cyv_evHa1e70JFY/s400/n-protocol-a-20190525-870x673.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Obama bows upon meeting TIH The Emperor & Empress of Japan</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No one appears certain why President Obama chose to do this -- particularly given he never showed similar deference to either Queen Elizabeth II or the late King Rama IX of Thailand, at the time respectively the world’s second longest and longest-reigning monarchs. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of Toasts & Anthems</span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Given their excellent
advisors, it's unlikely one president will repeat the gaffe of his
predecessor -- and so I very much doubt President Trump will replicate one of the most embarrassing of all state visit gaffes.<br /><br />In a very awkward moment during the state banquet at Buckingham Palace played live on television,
President Obama forgot that the final words of the official toast must always be
"The Queen" and nothing else. <br /><br />One never speaks after those two words as they are the cue for the band to play the British national anthem. Alas, after a
brief pause, he continued speaking -- the anthem seemingly becoming
background music for his oration. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pNRXGRFJdDY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pNRXGRFJdDY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alas, the cringe did not end there -- for the President's choice of quotation fell foul of another area of diplomatic etiquette as it made explicit reference to England...alone. <br /><br />Not something likely to impress the residents of the 3 other parts of the United Kingdom: Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.<br /></span></span></span></span><b>ARRIVAL</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKKJhMs2BkzM2XyHJVAjbmzQn37nI8WAUGmMYv4X2StJNphSDog__PEoQJajpOT-NiAT8p1aUGz6VXIgYo56wgB7vVOixTZYjvwfBJIlPfBmMuu3tUHdHi2DcqPL6jFHI0gP8guAYHErf/s1600/gun+salute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="648" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKKJhMs2BkzM2XyHJVAjbmzQn37nI8WAUGmMYv4X2StJNphSDog__PEoQJajpOT-NiAT8p1aUGz6VXIgYo56wgB7vVOixTZYjvwfBJIlPfBmMuu3tUHdHi2DcqPL6jFHI0gP8guAYHErf/s320/gun+salute.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XJqZoqrkEl4gfg4tQe7VvoOx5hduiMjaW0Qio73zRMEpPsnWZ0ICEQvi8_XaODV9BYu-qnUt5wk5limYvGHBAw0qxn4NYHZKQtlw9J9Fx5aHswGvfZXDV35CinhBTmicg2n1ChmyyMFs/s1600/Guns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XJqZoqrkEl4gfg4tQe7VvoOx5hduiMjaW0Qio73zRMEpPsnWZ0ICEQvi8_XaODV9BYu-qnUt5wk5limYvGHBAw0qxn4NYHZKQtlw9J9Fx5aHswGvfZXDV35CinhBTmicg2n1ChmyyMFs/s320/Guns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />US
Presidents travel and transport arrangements are always controlled in house whatever the occasion (save when an elderly Duke of Edinburgh offers to drive -- as he did not that long ago durin a previous presidential visit. Perhaps not this time). <br /><br />Consequently, having touched down at Stansted Airport on Air Force One, the President will
continue to Buckingham Palace aboard the presidential chopper, Marine One.<br /><br /><b>NOTE: The annual cost of Air Force One is said to exceed the entire annual cost of the British Monarchy!</b><br /><br />Landing on the palace's West Lawn ,the
pomp and pageantry shall commence with the official greeting, playing of
the National Anthem and inspection of the guard of honour. <br /><br />This is also the point at which a double whammy of gun salutes shall be fired: <br /><br />1 x State Visit Gun Salute for President Trump +<br />1 x Anniversary of The Queen's Coronation Gun Salute*<br /><br />*Salutes are not performed on Sundays.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Each
gun salute is performed at both Green Park (King's Troop Royal Horse
Artillery) & The Tower of London (Honourable Artillery Company). A
grand total of 4 gun salutes.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>ACCOMMODATION</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b> </b></span><br /> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visitors usually stay at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor
Castle, but due to long-planned renovations at Buckingham Palace, the President
and his family will be staying at Winfield House, the Official Residence of the US Ambassador.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLi2g_fWMEF636vLeiX3NQr_XWSq91mJfV2yDOwF6pAxIkum52SRRYEAIRljNRWrKUkEMX93FPK7yadJamV-WwMOfQRXmTreBzDogPu4tdlIsj9K3KeEu1SK3GZJXnxJzdA620gHy7fOc/s1600/20170708_bkp509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLi2g_fWMEF636vLeiX3NQr_XWSq91mJfV2yDOwF6pAxIkum52SRRYEAIRljNRWrKUkEMX93FPK7yadJamV-WwMOfQRXmTreBzDogPu4tdlIsj9K3KeEu1SK3GZJXnxJzdA620gHy7fOc/s640/20170708_bkp509.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winfield House: Official Residence of the U.S. Ambassador <br />
Second Largest Garden in London: Ideal for Marine One</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Logistically, the American ambassador's residence in Regent's Park works well as it is a
secure compound boasting London's second-largest garden after that of Buckingham
Palace itself. This setting shall enable the presidential helicopter (Marine One) to
land and take off with almost as much ease as at Buckingham Palace. </span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
For the curious: the garden at Buckingham Palace is 39 acres (15.8
ha) and at Winfield House 12.5 acres (4.9 ha). London's third largest
garden belongs to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace. Its
3.65 hectares (9 acres) are all that remain of the much larger medieval
garden of 8 hectares. <br /><br /><br /><b>ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT</b></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZauSQ-s8xEcAkMKJlHhycvOIlWuKvtw7HU9Sbsw6U-VFBiBNlJfpkvO-jfIJB37VQwrGh1MEMvmeEn_J69V0cgcpXj9Bzdq6SBmqAseHZ8vmdrap44BRXVXGJ1x_5M18OqOWYbwwgAUr/s1600/5762047820_eb5e7541f3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1024" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZauSQ-s8xEcAkMKJlHhycvOIlWuKvtw7HU9Sbsw6U-VFBiBNlJfpkvO-jfIJB37VQwrGh1MEMvmeEn_J69V0cgcpXj9Bzdq6SBmqAseHZ8vmdrap44BRXVXGJ1x_5M18OqOWYbwwgAUr/s640/5762047820_eb5e7541f3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Obama addresses Parliament in Westminster Hall, the most ancient part of the Houses of Parliament</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Following
the partisan grand-standing of John Bercow, Speaker of the House of
Commons, it appears that President Trump shall not address Parliament
during his state visit. <br /><br />I should mention that there is no need
to secure the permission of the Speaker for a dignitary to address
Parliament. <br /><br />The Speaker can block access to Westminster Hall -- site of
the address by President Obama -- but there is no obligation to hold
such an event there. <br /><br />The Speaker of the House of Lords can
hold the event in Parliament's Royal Gallery instead -- indeed, this
served as the venue for speeches by Presidents Reagan and Clinton.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lord Fowler, the current Lord Speaker, as none of John Bercow's personal campaigns of partisanship to wage. The King of Spain spoke in the Royal Gallery and indeed Bercow warmly applauded and shook hands with the current President of China during his address to Parliament in the Royal Gallery.<br /><br />If anything, inviting President Obama to speak in Westminster Hall was an anomaly. That is a singular honour traditionally reserved for far more significant events than one of the 2 annual state visits. The Royal Gallery is the more appropriate venue for normal state visits.<br /><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJw8zX7E-jMY2B0nJtt9R0Fmm3JkfV2107kiuf2ARbaaT84r2lSLl3ORJqX24xgHYAUwVl5TFXaB4A9O7B6jZPNgUk9G8lj38MrKk-AfuX22lfvmusqCMGUOoAi1pz4XU6OA70tRti4Df/s1600/Dyovja2W0AED0sk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJw8zX7E-jMY2B0nJtt9R0Fmm3JkfV2107kiuf2ARbaaT84r2lSLl3ORJqX24xgHYAUwVl5TFXaB4A9O7B6jZPNgUk9G8lj38MrKk-AfuX22lfvmusqCMGUOoAi1pz4XU6OA70tRti4Df/s640/Dyovja2W0AED0sk.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The President of China spoke in the Royal Gallery rather than Westminster Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /><b>CEREMONIAL PROCESSION</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b> </b><br />The traditional Sovereign's Escort carriage ride through
the ceremonial streets of Westminster with the Household Cavalry will not take place on this occasion due
to security concerns </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu-J_IixtKu7srbvOaWjyGWC4Wg_YHiMgLIANE63MB8MXR-VlMBR360zQdmdShAuqdJmHpKLAeM2ZX7U2w1KJyQTSK_YkuwHQYt2RT6CK0ocA5zYqlsy9wJlyMWYEZ5mH0ee7GXDWvAXO/s1600/2c730ce901854326974e0d65a5d42416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="900" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu-J_IixtKu7srbvOaWjyGWC4Wg_YHiMgLIANE63MB8MXR-VlMBR360zQdmdShAuqdJmHpKLAeM2ZX7U2w1KJyQTSK_YkuwHQYt2RT6CK0ocA5zYqlsy9wJlyMWYEZ5mH0ee7GXDWvAXO/s640/2c730ce901854326974e0d65a5d42416.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
Consequently the traditional inspection of the guard will take place in the
garden of Buckingham Palace rather than on Horse Guards Parade (the site of Trooping
the Colour later this month -- the Queen’s official birthday celebration ).</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /><b>WESTMINSTER ABBEY</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b> </b><br />
Following lunch with The Queen at Buckingham Palace and a meeting with
the Prince of Wales in his official residence, Clarence Hosue, The
President and Mrs. Trump shall visit Westminster Abbey. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIG3iE23tX2jMII_eTds4lmY2XPYsQwRCwE0nV3khbP3c5PMyd4lWLZc-DXsNTIcIzXXrHIKxc07jadTCMQMFRfZRoG9njtnDfK0WjXSa6eGHxsI86hNYvuD3xJzwnSrvCBiBT5Zw-iMj/s1600/Santos-at-Westminster-Abbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="900" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIG3iE23tX2jMII_eTds4lmY2XPYsQwRCwE0nV3khbP3c5PMyd4lWLZc-DXsNTIcIzXXrHIKxc07jadTCMQMFRfZRoG9njtnDfK0WjXSa6eGHxsI86hNYvuD3xJzwnSrvCBiBT5Zw-iMj/s640/Santos-at-Westminster-Abbey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President of Colombia lays a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> Here the traditional state visit protocol returns, as President Trump will lay a wreath on the Tomb of
the Unknown Warrior -- the first in the world, being a British concept. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
</span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLsLvmHDptfdt2x45VBXwN75Amyf6qPOY32t9VfazqF9uGJTwrFrCe287Tq_yP77G-hDdGWJYptFWTyVvNwfdziswGcqyJ8J4so3seKh85l-ingafKyovrl5IxxdlLUnES4OoDUbA_m8b/s1600/post-9621-0-43632500-1505764196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLsLvmHDptfdt2x45VBXwN75Amyf6qPOY32t9VfazqF9uGJTwrFrCe287Tq_yP77G-hDdGWJYptFWTyVvNwfdziswGcqyJ8J4so3seKh85l-ingafKyovrl5IxxdlLUnES4OoDUbA_m8b/s400/post-9621-0-43632500-1505764196.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Medal of Honor bestowed upon the Unknown Warrior<br />
at Westminster Abbey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I
am sure President Trump will have a chance to see the nearby
Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States' highest award for
valour, which was bestowed on the Unknown Warrior and was presented by
US General John Pershing</span> on 17 October 1921.<br /><br /> On 11 November 1921,
the American Unknown Soldier was reciprocally awarded the
Victoria Cross.<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">President
and Mrs. Trump might also have an opportunity to see the Flag of the
United States in the Battle of Britain Memorial Window (along with the
flags of other allied nations) and note the name of the American pilot
recorded with the British, Commonwealth, Polish and other allied pilots
in the Roll of Honour. <br /><br />In 2009 I was pleased to have been
invited to the unveiling of the west window of Henry VII's Lady Chapel
(the most beautiful room in Britain in my opinion). The Memorial Window
honours a notable American philanthropist, Sir John Templeton, founder
of The Templeton Prize for Progress in Religigion (the world's most
valuable prize -- in monetary terms). Sir John was born in Tennessee and
educated at Yale. Perhaps the President & First Lady shall see
this, too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>STATE BANQUET AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The“jewel
in the crown” of President Trump's state visit will
be tonight’s state banquet at Buckingham Palace, a lavish affair for
which the dress code is evening dress / white tie & decorations
(& tiaras). This can be rather intimidating, but The Queen and the
Royal Family are masters at putting people at ease.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVEyHya_iZebeSgacPpCKuaiA06WDgCLhyk5bN3Qh7jI-UG2_dVxjpfRgCePcXjVQdqeaSmGs_-2Vb4k12qL1lDSqyp74MEqzYa82kJhcpeG8qbZHM14PLuWU5l0ro9uN1f3oDLr6GXed/s1600/royal-dinner-650x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="650" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVEyHya_iZebeSgacPpCKuaiA06WDgCLhyk5bN3Qh7jI-UG2_dVxjpfRgCePcXjVQdqeaSmGs_-2Vb4k12qL1lDSqyp74MEqzYa82kJhcpeG8qbZHM14PLuWU5l0ro9uN1f3oDLr6GXed/s640/royal-dinner-650x430.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State Banquet at Buckingham Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Decorations:</b><br />Normally The Queen would
be expected to wear the highest decoration she has received from the visiting head
of state's nation. HM wore the grand cross of the Order of the White Eagle when the President of Poland visited, for example. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbAw0RFChMH_MDiK9NBDntVWEeIfcm9-ZVJOygu9l4XVCkdmda8LSZXvwTEz0MpDinpqLtf8durVK1ZBzcsw_4ukEN34CkooDXh_II_oIPfMBSwUtSbPvLDxEevggJO_qjLnu4QeCKQo0/s1600/stream_2.39288391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="680" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbAw0RFChMH_MDiK9NBDntVWEeIfcm9-ZVJOygu9l4XVCkdmda8LSZXvwTEz0MpDinpqLtf8durVK1ZBzcsw_4ukEN34CkooDXh_II_oIPfMBSwUtSbPvLDxEevggJO_qjLnu4QeCKQo0/s640/stream_2.39288391.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM The Queen & HRH The Prince of Wales wear their Dutch insignia whilst <br />
HM The King of the Netherlands wears his insignia as a Knight of the Garter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNpwpkZmTHEU4d25akLimTiFlwUVDXMzloasP0glLhHsXonTiJQDAeUtI7YvVIrvjijTwnAvoG21KpX7l6eModr-5_FXNmSeVV2ZyTcSv39xqbaFdIPbW-I3FhN4FwfEfK4ea-0QNhkwJ/s1600/gettyimages-79657163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="768" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNpwpkZmTHEU4d25akLimTiFlwUVDXMzloasP0glLhHsXonTiJQDAeUtI7YvVIrvjijTwnAvoG21KpX7l6eModr-5_FXNmSeVV2ZyTcSv39xqbaFdIPbW-I3FhN4FwfEfK4ea-0QNhkwJ/s640/gettyimages-79657163.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Eisenhower wears the insignia of the British "Order of Merit"</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">However
the United States does not have a comparable honours
system and so HM shall wear The insignia of the Order of the Garter.
However any American who has received an honour can wear this (usually
one of the grades of the Order of the British Empire or the Order of the
Bath).<br />
<br />Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan and Bush Jr. all received honorary knighthoods as
Knights Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. Were President
Bush in attendance as a guest he would have been able to wear his broad sash
and insignia of the Bath.</span><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-17731241244009551102016-12-31T19:50:00.000+00:002016-12-31T19:50:14.086+00:002016 - My Year in Review - Monarchy, Brexit, Protocol & Trump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxRE2KkrrMagCqLo2vfNM9Pw9E2KaC0-2SkdtKFo7VKIiGenlOxixWYyjeL4YJgd5R3n1mzZ9Q1Z14IYa7L2nG5UwRBGo-RZtCsUbxQMJhaC4wXGOwqTOzwd5QrmrgBR5aTUGfPFvLSU/s1600/2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxRE2KkrrMagCqLo2vfNM9Pw9E2KaC0-2SkdtKFo7VKIiGenlOxixWYyjeL4YJgd5R3n1mzZ9Q1Z14IYa7L2nG5UwRBGo-RZtCsUbxQMJhaC4wXGOwqTOzwd5QrmrgBR5aTUGfPFvLSU/s320/2016.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Apologies, dear readers, for neglecting my blog for most of 2016. The year now departing has been exceedingly busy; and, despite best intentions, my attempts to regularly maintain this blog were repeatedly thwarted.<br /><br />This post is intended to provide the briefest summary of some of the more interesting highlights and media appearances of my past year, including The Queen's 90th Birthday, the Brexit referendum and the Trump presidential campaign.<br /><br />I have selected one event for each month of 2016, followed by a random selection of other activities that readers may (hopefully!) find interesting, entertaining or amusing.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">January</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lecturing at The Ritz hotel, London</td></tr>
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<br />I delivered a lecture to the new debutantes at The Ritz hotel about the Monarchy and the House of Lords, royal protocol and how to address the different ranks of the peerage. The phenomenon of debutantes is spreading globally, with debutante balls now held annually in North America and Asia. This lecture formed part of the debutantes year of training before "coming out" at the modern revival of The Queen Charlotte's Ball organised by the London Season.<br /><br /><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">February</span><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwcyOjNuye7Flg74oEvZI2dtaSvB5mm23zuAF972sVBxPNivLxlGT2vK4T04QruMIBtDva8zcY2nbScHL3UxdASI51gU1v9LrLkcSzqcuQnL5XyxaOEFIYNFV-tXgT1Qc8Uq6O2JItCU/s1600/IMAG1188+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwcyOjNuye7Flg74oEvZI2dtaSvB5mm23zuAF972sVBxPNivLxlGT2vK4T04QruMIBtDva8zcY2nbScHL3UxdASI51gU1v9LrLkcSzqcuQnL5XyxaOEFIYNFV-tXgT1Qc8Uq6O2JItCU/s400/IMAG1188+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Michael Wood and Rebecca Dobbs as they receive their award for their landmark BBC TV series "The Story of China"</td></tr>
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<br />My business partner and I were pleased to become Official Partners for The Hurun Report's Chinese New Year Dinner, held at London's Mayfair Hotel.<br /><br />I was pleased to be joined by our guests of honour, the celebrated historian and broadcaster Michael Wood and his wife Rebecca Dobbs (both pictured above). My partner and I had nominated them to receive "The Award for Outstanding Contribution to UK-China Relations, 2016" for their landmark BBC TV series "The Story of China".<br /><br />The Hurun Report (China's equivalent of Forbes Magazine) is publisher of the 17th annual Hurun Report Rich List and Hurun Report Art List. <br /><br /><br /><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">March</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hstxNVY_VXCozKpI-QKDvKOMtCw-slXtlDyvP2PAuJ-L2qTqSF7kQHO-BDs3BwPLc3P8WWWqLgKkwVQ6sOk__QM-4YBzkd5aEYrRzTCdDKbtLngavSsCECqrF7CyhvPXQZfPZEuA0M8/s1600/red-trousers-feature-image-630x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hstxNVY_VXCozKpI-QKDvKOMtCw-slXtlDyvP2PAuJ-L2qTqSF7kQHO-BDs3BwPLc3P8WWWqLgKkwVQ6sOk__QM-4YBzkd5aEYrRzTCdDKbtLngavSsCECqrF7CyhvPXQZfPZEuA0M8/s400/red-trousers-feature-image-630x400.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country Life magazine illustration for their article on RTs (Red Trousers)</td></tr>
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In March I was interviewed for Country Life Magazine for an excellent article by Flora Watkins about the history and symbolism of that most divisive item of gentlemens’ clothing: red trousers (a.k.a "RTs"). <a href="http://www.countrylife.co.uk/country-life/in-defence-of-red-trousers-83921">The Country Life article</a> may be read at this <a href="http://www.countrylife.co.uk/country-life/in-defence-of-red-trousers-83921">LINK.</a><br /><br />In a politically heavy year, this "comic relief" story was picked up by the BBC, Daily Telegraph etc. and within a week had become something of a viral phenomenon. I also appeared in a Mashable article on the subject, which may be read <a href="http://mashable.com/2016/03/03/red-trousers-posh-hipsters/#Hd.tK9BNmOq0">HERE</a><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">April</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhio-kFKyFS_qeYeV5WMs5kY721Jr0zR_BeqCHfEpatE6DhKyT2TS-nv5w8vdD5Nb6PcZWKR7yj3ZrhCekuGrGCrQ4pbOTrkL8Or98Ic6bXu2QVOZk2w5CE-XnkdIQ96jVJjHFu3dtkhM4/s1600/Newsday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhio-kFKyFS_qeYeV5WMs5kY721Jr0zR_BeqCHfEpatE6DhKyT2TS-nv5w8vdD5Nb6PcZWKR7yj3ZrhCekuGrGCrQ4pbOTrkL8Or98Ic6bXu2QVOZk2w5CE-XnkdIQ96jVJjHFu3dtkhM4/s400/Newsday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Queen reached her 90th birthday on 21st April – and I was delighted to be at Windsor Castle and also in London providing live coverage for both the BBC and CBC.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">May</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fvhfT8fVNoUtMvW5w57iMO4KfbYVfZhZQR7AnN8w942tKefhmSYs9ouB-YCKYuoyRG7Kes1Ai8RYmaIjQfetJX9uN2BGLTzTFIxeWtTboskee6PWDmAX4BgbcLiswCGUPDDlP2Lm2-g/s1600/13164325_10156911791080554_3331660876592792102_n+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fvhfT8fVNoUtMvW5w57iMO4KfbYVfZhZQR7AnN8w942tKefhmSYs9ouB-YCKYuoyRG7Kes1Ai8RYmaIjQfetJX9uN2BGLTzTFIxeWtTboskee6PWDmAX4BgbcLiswCGUPDDlP2Lm2-g/s400/13164325_10156911791080554_3331660876592792102_n+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival of HRH The Princess Royal at the Royal Windsor Horse Show<br />(Note the two Mounties either side of HRH)</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Having been interviewed in the Official Programme for the Royal Windsor Horse Show's 90th Birthday Celebration for The Queen, I was delighted to be invited to attend a gala evening at the show.<br /> <br /> The Royal Windsor Horse Show brought together the finest equestrian traditions and representatives from the Commonwealth and around the world. A truly special occasion. I was particularly pleased by the presence of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their famed Musical Ride (performed to the accompaniment of “The Maple Leaf Forever”).<br /><br />My amateurish phone video of the arrival of HRH The Princess Royal may be seen here:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw99IASNGuwdMoviAAUh7wyw3XHM1UfCmSIddkubEswUnh7uZJbu-VAcm2mZekl1d5hcpePFlj6d3-_Er4A7A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">June</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brexit Debate - 23 June 2016<br />L to R: Stanley Johnson, Lord Liddle, The Moderator, Sir Bill Cash and Me</td></tr>
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I appeared in various media outlets over the summer to discuss the merits of Brexit. Amongst my appearances, I was pleased to take part in what may have been the very last debate of the campaign. </div>
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<br /> On the evening of 23 June, a couple of hours before the polling stations closed, I appeared on France 24 TV’s international channel to debate the merits of Brexit with the long-standing Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash MP. Our opponents were Stanley Johnson (father of the current Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson) and Lord Liddle (former special adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair). </div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">July</span></div>
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<br /> I was a panellist for “Brexit: Where Do We Go From Here?”. Created by the “Invoke Democracy Now’” organisation, the panel was composed of pro-Leave speakers representing a broad church of Brexiteers from across the political, cultural and social spectrum. <br /><br />Other panelists included Claire Fox of the Institute of Ideas and Brendan O'Neill, editor of Spiked Online. We spoke to a packed house in London's "Rich Mix" venue.</div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">August</span><br />Following the announcement that the Emperor of Japan would abdicate at some point, I appeared in Japanese media to discuss the tradition of abdication around the world.<br /><br /><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">September </span></div>
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I delivered a lecture on Royal and Aristocratic Protocol to a delegation of distinguished Americans. The event was held at London’s historic Polish Hearth Club.<br /><br /><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">October </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ObfCcF-tf-yGLo45CWPkgnWlf41-ej8HhtARSnXU-vpGhmRy6Id2vM0YoNHoKJmf0mTJBgFAk1GRaefRP6rX3__h1p_HcuUfMvJ9zc7mjEK5-xOEmm9Xw6lTZJxebjcBDlnwSPCdEAU/s1600/2016-10-29.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ObfCcF-tf-yGLo45CWPkgnWlf41-ej8HhtARSnXU-vpGhmRy6Id2vM0YoNHoKJmf0mTJBgFAk1GRaefRP6rX3__h1p_HcuUfMvJ9zc7mjEK5-xOEmm9Xw6lTZJxebjcBDlnwSPCdEAU/s400/2016-10-29.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I appeared on BBC World TV to discuss the importance of diplomatic protocol and cultivating a positive public image. This was in connection with a news story about the controversial President of the Phillipines and his plain-speaking manner.</div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">November </span><br style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSu8cd66FM4mYJT0ve98V9VrIuSFC6_QIyAyvj1gKwPkHcojaP5A_D1NVFRc6LgqX6YQiC844BnV7TWU6JuWKPsqUSLwT-asrjXzVdqFfr9U9IyuY8GaTqbXMByorAU7GsFdgMD-Yfu0/s1600/15135785_10157791939495554_2056540316675172292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSu8cd66FM4mYJT0ve98V9VrIuSFC6_QIyAyvj1gKwPkHcojaP5A_D1NVFRc6LgqX6YQiC844BnV7TWU6JuWKPsqUSLwT-asrjXzVdqFfr9U9IyuY8GaTqbXMByorAU7GsFdgMD-Yfu0/s400/15135785_10157791939495554_2056540316675172292_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emirates Tower, Dubai: With the Executive of the Young Presidents' Organisation (Levant Chapter)</td></tr>
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I was pleased to travel to Dubai to lecture to the Young President’s Organisation on Cultural Intelligence in International Business. The lecture took place at the Emirates Towers – coincidentally, the event took place 3 years to the week since I last spoke in that venue.</div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">December </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAulP-ODnwtUA04V6xXX-jh1X2ox3jvha3rXFDYUTNqKf4tcfXupo-jzssIDMkXnqGBk3JeXllDPmY375LSEM3pduI-LwB7g4Si44aujs_bgjZ8xZXsBLu5MwSnkmh_CbfNgR5SPqYmAo/s1600/2016+FRCGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAulP-ODnwtUA04V6xXX-jh1X2ox3jvha3rXFDYUTNqKf4tcfXupo-jzssIDMkXnqGBk3JeXllDPmY375LSEM3pduI-LwB7g4Si44aujs_bgjZ8xZXsBLu5MwSnkmh_CbfNgR5SPqYmAo/s400/2016+FRCGS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016 inductees to the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society</td></tr>
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I was honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. </div>
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Other Fellows of 2016 include The Chief Justice of Canada (Hon. Beverley McLachlin), Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada (Greg Peters), HE The Danish Ambassador to Canada, BBC TV Presenter & Historian Dan Snow, Senator Don Plett, Senator Vernon White, Dr. Susan Eaton (one of Canada's greatest female explorers) and Dr. Daniel Lebel (Director General of the Geological Survey of Canada).<br /> <br /><br /><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">Amongst other esoteric highlights of 2016:</span><br /> <br />* 7 June was a noteworthy day for me as I broke all my previous media records: in 4.5 hours I completed 22 radio interviews (both live and recorded).</div>
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* Can one buy a title? I appeared in Politico magazine to discuss the disreputable trade in the sale of bogus aristocratic and other titles of nobility. The article may be read at this <a href="http://www.politico.eu/article/every-lady-a-milady-nobility-highland-titles-lordship-online/">LINK</a><br /><br />* What is the husband of a Duke called? I appeared in Canada’s National Post newspaper to discuss the issue of courtesy titles for the spouses of titled women and of titled gay men. The article may be read at this <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/why-eltons-husband-is-unlikely-to-ever-be-lady-john">LINK</a></div>
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* I appeared on BBC's Daily Politics programme to discuss Donald Trump's coat of arms and their authenticity as personal arms (below).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzHabSNvJtOHoBlT9fmpUk25ybqhql83WOZRtfefrzvD9SOCp0K41m32DXpRvIYxogyUJZEhak92eUPW99C2Qu1Xpue3IJyFwJz_ldeNdG50vRWf8ZMqpqtAW7M66TjYe9RHS6ufmPd8/s1600/2016-12-31+%252811%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzHabSNvJtOHoBlT9fmpUk25ybqhql83WOZRtfefrzvD9SOCp0K41m32DXpRvIYxogyUJZEhak92eUPW99C2Qu1Xpue3IJyFwJz_ldeNdG50vRWf8ZMqpqtAW7M66TjYe9RHS6ufmPd8/s400/2016-12-31+%252811%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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* I travelled to Romania for the first time and was delighted to visit Paul-Philippe (grandson of King Carol II of Romania) and Leia Hohenzollern a.k.a. TRH Prince Paul and Princess Leia of Romania at their home in Bucharest (pictured below, in front of a portrait of King Carol II). Although a nephew of King Michael of Romania and therefore not recognised as head of the Royal House, PP is in fact the senior genealogical descendant of King Carol II.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUK8tAL4QfBOu-0JQIkm5h94SpOEbhF7CalgILm7wiyUFXU53jVepEgmvvpMgsRPNwtaXGLjFo37OxGQzarcMtT9z65mAUMaqxwxjjZfOo3X-w37yhnrFuUVM2iseH1yyb1w_U56SMMyA/s1600/14390666_10157462416375554_5652299685182235151_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUK8tAL4QfBOu-0JQIkm5h94SpOEbhF7CalgILm7wiyUFXU53jVepEgmvvpMgsRPNwtaXGLjFo37OxGQzarcMtT9z65mAUMaqxwxjjZfOo3X-w37yhnrFuUVM2iseH1yyb1w_U56SMMyA/s400/14390666_10157462416375554_5652299685182235151_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I attended the premiere of “Brexit: The Movie” at Leicester Square Odeon (below). The film was a crowd-funded documentary advocating for Brexit, and the premiere attracted an impressive Who’s Who of prominent Leavers (see below). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5EJUReNkWuq2ONax52aPeNjxWCb3l4yEYZHtixLVvGfQ4mNqeU5wQDbLgMxsYgFGsqgv0r89SMnRYfaI-jk0uQCSBj4TlcDA4iETFDFYnT8mhCIsJhSzXyZQHAboIY5lpJF61nRFYe8/s1600/Brexit+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5EJUReNkWuq2ONax52aPeNjxWCb3l4yEYZHtixLVvGfQ4mNqeU5wQDbLgMxsYgFGsqgv0r89SMnRYfaI-jk0uQCSBj4TlcDA4iETFDFYnT8mhCIsJhSzXyZQHAboIY5lpJF61nRFYe8/s400/Brexit+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwc21nYKqi96ekCdtXvORJ1mo6n4iYsqEnSDmEkc7Ta4cjtgHD1cwbdoIcNMq1dxMsoANUUa7e2IkUeqir8FeG_M2s5uPsq_S96JtAigHgwKmT4DtD3BIiEAdnllCHGyC2HEpDz7yCyE/s1600/Brexit+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwc21nYKqi96ekCdtXvORJ1mo6n4iYsqEnSDmEkc7Ta4cjtgHD1cwbdoIcNMq1dxMsoANUUa7e2IkUeqir8FeG_M2s5uPsq_S96JtAigHgwKmT4DtD3BIiEAdnllCHGyC2HEpDz7yCyE/s400/Brexit+5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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In early June I was pleased to receive a VIP delegation from China and hosted events for them at institutions including the Houses of Parliament, Royal Ascot, Guards Polo Club and Lancaster House -- as well as a weekend at one of England's finest private stately homes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dz2t4NgzGr9kq3W88qQGW8WhSAc98SDE2k6xVYKBg3IiigcyRIg_hczqOIZKnA8LMJR8xMzwgOp-ElNzaKHQIDCXl-PZMEnyuiFhpKpLi9Vaa_N07aQh4aAFKYYh7FWHsJSV_eP7TaI/s1600/13412992_10157034667195554_6946493742826785466_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dz2t4NgzGr9kq3W88qQGW8WhSAc98SDE2k6xVYKBg3IiigcyRIg_hczqOIZKnA8LMJR8xMzwgOp-ElNzaKHQIDCXl-PZMEnyuiFhpKpLi9Vaa_N07aQh4aAFKYYh7FWHsJSV_eP7TaI/s400/13412992_10157034667195554_6946493742826785466_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Ascot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Ascot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jBluNti34N00zNEFayiWrylhpSc6KEQJSo8sVE3JtdT6R2QJiIEgv7rXG-ZrES8grX76NSu2R5hAUZRoyEtfmaS4eArCc6ko7wsykSY0UP2KSbx64P25CWo7BTk4EX5RsFhHFtjce3g/s1600/13428549_10157024082545554_22281292861609753_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jBluNti34N00zNEFayiWrylhpSc6KEQJSo8sVE3JtdT6R2QJiIEgv7rXG-ZrES8grX76NSu2R5hAUZRoyEtfmaS4eArCc6ko7wsykSY0UP2KSbx64P25CWo7BTk4EX5RsFhHFtjce3g/s400/13428549_10157024082545554_22281292861609753_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen's Cup Final - Cartier Polo: Guards Polo Club</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcz7S9ttfp6ji6xCox3my0hxQN3dHcsFWUjKaJW6G63LwDlrX8MqPP_Cu-GgCw5Fq2UyIBlONY2SQHr61pTPRA1YWmiuMGB6wC4-jb76SwKwpDCStrDfoTrsHJ8yjG7-csmv21vFc6xw/s1600/13466391_10157042870155554_5024748282132579023_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcz7S9ttfp6ji6xCox3my0hxQN3dHcsFWUjKaJW6G63LwDlrX8MqPP_Cu-GgCw5Fq2UyIBlONY2SQHr61pTPRA1YWmiuMGB6wC4-jb76SwKwpDCStrDfoTrsHJ8yjG7-csmv21vFc6xw/s400/13466391_10157042870155554_5024748282132579023_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting at one of England's finest privately owned stately homes</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I send my best wishes to one and all for a happy, healthy and successful 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWjg5OZS2W1QKRWJmpVHpxDyW6u4pUbWFp-3FsarPdHRxychAEDcRygiNsUq2LWtAweqiSsfLJxUuxhhMUFaPd7bCHT7Xpg8TAhzODC_7ycKIjwOZFSbvBNasgVxhEuweiXta5SLGL3o/s1600/240_F_123907239_1whcI5fJ9byEBXyut5HLVEtOh2iYCcF3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWjg5OZS2W1QKRWJmpVHpxDyW6u4pUbWFp-3FsarPdHRxychAEDcRygiNsUq2LWtAweqiSsfLJxUuxhhMUFaPd7bCHT7Xpg8TAhzODC_7ycKIjwOZFSbvBNasgVxhEuweiXta5SLGL3o/s400/240_F_123907239_1whcI5fJ9byEBXyut5HLVEtOh2iYCcF3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-11231063622463083992016-12-28T00:53:00.000+00:002016-12-28T00:53:12.160+00:00*A London Peculiar* featured in *Tydzien Polski*, Britain's oldest Polish-language newspaper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0wZnWMXoc0my0o447R8K0AMPezd_yUt26MR2azcaQVmL14-2SUn5bi4FqpRIEuAQxLzOTnxDPGGrupOf3C1TW_Jy_8ACgLmfZz0n-jC9enblAXGPf6hO2IewZwGfX1aRoOBZFpIFZ8Q/s1600/A+London+Peculiar+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0wZnWMXoc0my0o447R8K0AMPezd_yUt26MR2azcaQVmL14-2SUn5bi4FqpRIEuAQxLzOTnxDPGGrupOf3C1TW_Jy_8ACgLmfZz0n-jC9enblAXGPf6hO2IewZwGfX1aRoOBZFpIFZ8Q/s200/A+London+Peculiar+2.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>
A very nice article about my book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Peculiar-You-Shouldnt-Miss/dp/1742575730" target="_blank">A London Peculiar: The London You Shouldn't Miss</a> </i>was published in this week's issue of <i>Tydzien Polski</i>.<br />
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Founded in the 1950s, <i>Tydzien Polski </i>is the oldest Polish-language newspaper in the United Kingdom.<br /><br />The featured photograph shows me standing in front of a section of "London", the largest map ever produced in Georgian Britain (1799).<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-69035089671333000162016-12-02T14:11:00.000+00:002016-12-02T15:22:04.628+00:00Britain's Oldest Manufacturing Company To Close - Whitechapel Bell Foundry (Est. 1570)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJRUTy923y1AK8wIUxezdVoXBASGHG1O6zuE48kAKpqxeUXnm3fyaomUCAhyQJ7tSTFERXg5_TfJUhQ2moDhnGd2cXTrpMrVe-act-2XTs-SJQpFIkhBWwf6J3iySf-JYeTdiyjJP-vE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJRUTy923y1AK8wIUxezdVoXBASGHG1O6zuE48kAKpqxeUXnm3fyaomUCAhyQJ7tSTFERXg5_TfJUhQ2moDhnGd2cXTrpMrVe-act-2XTs-SJQpFIkhBWwf6J3iySf-JYeTdiyjJP-vE/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After almost 250 years, The Whitechapel Bell Foundry (Est. 1570) is to leave this historic building <br />
-- the company's future is uncertain</td></tr>
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Does any city have a sound more instantly recognisable
than the toll of Big Ben? The mighty
bell’s unmistakable hourly peal and the familiar Westminster Chime of its
sister bells <i>("All through this hour; Lord, be my guide; And by Thy power; No foot shall slide") </i>are famous throughout the world, immediately conjuring up evocative images of a
foggy day in old London town. </div>
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Bells have echoed through London’s soundscape for
centuries. <br />
<br />
When London was a walled city, church bells rang out the curfew every
evening to signal the locking of the city gates. Traditionally, true cockneys
are said to be born within earshot of “Bow Bells” (the bells of the church of St.
Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside), and generations of children have grown up singing “<i>Oranges and Lemons say the bells of St.
Clements</i>”, a nursery rhyme identifying the bells of various City churches. <b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>Since 1570 many of London’s most important bells have been produced by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, the oldest manufacturing company in Britain and the most famous bell manufacturer in the world.<br />
<br />
In 1752 America’s famous Liberty Bell was struck here and just over a century later, in 1858, the Foundry cast Big Ben, its most famous bell. Visitors to the Whitechapel premises walk through a cross section of Big Ben upon entering the front door. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe7bXO7CjG8mNjgETvGjr6K9RzBvO4QeLJgwUoWsGgGEFUvIE-hqbpaG1FMM_Lz25Yl_C25qMGROFfVudZLrYJaOKRlWzzFA8yvYdrAaPA90Jra_q5nZjRYdc-800SHs99j-ZPl9LY60/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe7bXO7CjG8mNjgETvGjr6K9RzBvO4QeLJgwUoWsGgGEFUvIE-hqbpaG1FMM_Lz25Yl_C25qMGROFfVudZLrYJaOKRlWzzFA8yvYdrAaPA90Jra_q5nZjRYdc-800SHs99j-ZPl9LY60/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Cross Section of Big Ben around the entrance to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry</td></tr>
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Over the centuries, the bells of the Whitechapel Foundry have rung out over cities as far afield as imperial St. Petersburg, Chennai, Washington DC and Toronto.<br />
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Alas, I am sad to announce that despite this magnificent history, after over two centuries in the same ancient building, this great London institution is to extinguish its Whitechapel furnace and close its doors forever in May 2017. The building is likely to be sold. What will become of the almost 450 year old company remains to be seen.</div>
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The Foundry is currently located on Whitechapel Road in 17<sup>th</sup>
century buildings constructed shortly after the Great Fire of London. The Grade II listed heritage buildings were
originally part of a coaching inn named the Artichoke before their conversion into
bell-making workshops by the Master Founder of Whitechapel in 1739. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuf-JLUcR4kRance_wTTGlN3TzpoO3kQFSn3GhmjERadT90p-gW50DhzLWmuOkAa_R_6IwxUg2O4TuRwAZFXKbAF0cpiwPGd551KXOzTkKcCfZ6f1ScMKehnwUTkqdK0YDZGvA8l9b-Y/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuf-JLUcR4kRance_wTTGlN3TzpoO3kQFSn3GhmjERadT90p-gW50DhzLWmuOkAa_R_6IwxUg2O4TuRwAZFXKbAF0cpiwPGd551KXOzTkKcCfZ6f1ScMKehnwUTkqdK0YDZGvA8l9b-Y/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The historic premises, frozen in time, should not give
the impression that the Foundry has rested upon past glories. Through the 21st century the company has continued to manufacture and assemble a wide variety of bells and accessories of assorted
shapes and sizes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMc4n2lywIfId9yn_8jSb1WS6OGlZlc9xX5X_yPLilqz67xAVCZ5wMNRaKswLvLUqGdd4ks7VizbvHiQnCk_T0jiLiylCyLhvbpeZojcpxhu_SeXKAfL_y7On26jT6FpyiDOugzBSvMc/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMc4n2lywIfId9yn_8jSb1WS6OGlZlc9xX5X_yPLilqz67xAVCZ5wMNRaKswLvLUqGdd4ks7VizbvHiQnCk_T0jiLiylCyLhvbpeZojcpxhu_SeXKAfL_y7On26jT6FpyiDOugzBSvMc/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Given the Foundry’s long association with London, it was fitting that it was commissioned to design the special Olympic Bell that rang out at the opening ceremony of London’s 2012 Olympic Games, connecting the reign of Queen Elizabeth II with that of Queen Elizabeth I over 400 years earlier. <br />
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The Olympic Bell is the biggest in Europe and the largest harmonically-tuned bell in the world. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Olympic Bell is the biggest in Europe and the largest harmonically-tuned bell in the world. </td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Also in 2012, the Foundry cast the bells used in the lead barge at The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee river pageant, and which now hang at the City church of St. James Garlickhythe.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Queen visits the Whitechapel Bell Foundry</td></tr>
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Speaking of the decision to close the Whitechapel Foundry, owner Alan Hughes (Master Bellfounder since 1972) said:<br />
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<i>“We have made this decision with a heavy heart, but in response to the changing realities of running a business of this kind. The Bell Foundry in Whitechapel has changed hands many times, but it has always been a family business. My own family has owned the foundry since 1904, but other families have run the firm through its history, which stretches back to 1570. The business has been at its present site over two hundred and fifty years. So it is probably about time it moved once again. We hope that this move will provide an opportunity for the business to move forward in a new direction.” Alan & Kathryn Hughes</i></div>
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Press Statement:<br />
<i><br />"1st December 2016<br /><br />Whitechapel Bell Foundry Ltd announces, with regret, that by May 2017 it will cease its activities at the Whitechapel Road site that it has occupied since its move there in 1738.<br /><br />The company intends to complete work on all projects presently in hand during the coming months. It will not be entering into new contracts for the time being whilst discussions with the company's staff and other interested parties regarding the future direction, ownership, and location of the company are ongoing."</i></div>
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We can only hope that this cherished London institution, the oldest manufacturing company in the land, will continue to exist in another form on another site. <br />
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The Whitechapel Bell Foundry is simply too important to Britain's national heritage to close forever.<br />
<br />
<i>The Whitechapel
Bell Foundry, 32/35 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1DY<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>W: </i><i><a href="http://www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk/">www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk</a></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-57243023483570977812015-11-03T13:50:00.003+00:002015-11-03T14:17:05.094+00:00Death of Andrzej Ciechanowiecki, celebrated philanthropist, art collector & historian and anti-communist / WWII resistance figure.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAmhz_UKZBigSb6rtb1V-_xKAPKlx35MNhUXP3YzVdhAlv1ydKiumgztjvTcqxiaIh4JuZkFOYP42i2QEOIx0N-FWi-aETIzQEm-8R02R2FgGAv6vJC1ZflMUlEv_-Da5F8C0g4FnCFc/s1600/Andrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAmhz_UKZBigSb6rtb1V-_xKAPKlx35MNhUXP3YzVdhAlv1ydKiumgztjvTcqxiaIh4JuZkFOYP42i2QEOIx0N-FWi-aETIzQEm-8R02R2FgGAv6vJC1ZflMUlEv_-Da5F8C0g4FnCFc/s320/Andrew.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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<br />
Deeply saddened to learn of the death in London yesterday of my friend, and (in my youth) my great mentor in matters nobiliary and chivalric, the celebrated philanthropist, anti-communist agitator, art historian and collector, Andrzej (Andrew) Ciechanowiecki (1924-2015), Knight of the Order of the White Eagle (Poland's highest honour, the equivalent of the Order of the Garter) and Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. [Andrew held more Orders than almost anyone I knew]<br />
<br />
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Andrew spent several weeks living with my grandparents (he and his parents were very old family friends). Having fought in the Underground Home Army in the Warsaw Uprising 1944 and escaping deportation to Siberia, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1952 by the Polish communist governement for allegedly assisting British, American and Vatican spies.<br />
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Released after 6 years, he eventually arrived in the UK and became an extremely successful art dealer, most notably co-owning the Heim Gallery on Jermyn Street. He remained a Londoner, spending his final years in a beautiful flat on Mount Street off Berkeley Square.<br />
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Andrew's collection grew so large (he had one of the finest collection of bronzes) that he founded the Ciechanoweicki Foundation at the Royal Castle in Warsaw to hold much of his collection. Andrew played a huge role in obtaining art and furniture to fill the palace following its post-war reconstruction. He also curated several important international exhibitions of Polish art and treasures, largely self-funded the construction of a church on the outskirts of Krakow and also helped fund a wing of the University of New Mexico.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl09XjE4mmmPrhaafpLBuebRYGRw75WOZ5TWTTEP35UVyg2dw-WBZgUEbv1Hu6bVsVlbl3dnpagAkGLOx-0FXq0DINLIjXVWr98x0KZ4HKDQPPblLmjhcG-G5XKPiMW9nzV55QWJhci8/s1600/Foundation-Council-2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl09XjE4mmmPrhaafpLBuebRYGRw75WOZ5TWTTEP35UVyg2dw-WBZgUEbv1Hu6bVsVlbl3dnpagAkGLOx-0FXq0DINLIjXVWr98x0KZ4HKDQPPblLmjhcG-G5XKPiMW9nzV55QWJhci8/s400/Foundation-Council-2015.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Andrzej Ciechanowiecki (seated) with members of the Ciechanowiecki Foundation </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">at home at his flat, with some of his celebrated bronzes visible behind.</span></td></tr>
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Very active in anti-communist international relations, Andrew was a friend of Pope John Paul II and many heads of formerly reigning royal houses. He was also extremely active in dynastic and confraternal military-religious orders.<br />
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Andrew was one of the most decorated men I knew. Wikipedia lists the following Orders:<br />
<br />
Polish<br />
Order of the White Eagle (1998)<br />
Order of Polonia Restituta Grand Cross (25 February 1993)<br />
<br />
Foreign<br />
Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (Vatican)<br />
Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour & Devotion, Sovereign Military Order of Malta <br />
Grand Cross of Order Pro Merito Melitensi<br />
Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic<br />
Commander of the Order of the Polar Star (Sweden)<br />
Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria.<br />
Commander of the Order of Merit of Senegal<br />
Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany<br />
Officer of the Legion of Honour (France)<br />
Order of Friendship of Peoples (Belarus)<br />
Order of Francisc Skorina (Belarus)<br />
<br />
Dynastic Orders<br />
Grand Cross of the Order of St Januarius (Two Sicilies)<br />
Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George with Collar (Two Sicilies)<br />
Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I (Two Sicilies)<br />
Gold Medal of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George (Two Sicilies)<br />
Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Savoy)<br />
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the House of Savoy (Savoy)<br />
Gold Medal of Merit of the House of Savoy (Savoy)<br />
Knight of Justice of the Order of Saint Stephen (Tuscany)<br />
Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Joseph (Tuscany)<br />
Grand Cross of the Order of St Andrew (Imperial Russia)<br />
Grand Cross of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (Imperial Russia)<br />
Grand Cross of the Order of St. Anna (Imperial Russia)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHhefhoIKomdoqviKvnthYz7jp0Ww9hGdQvEaz75rTGv2bOGBrH9h9mgcMGbFAhubTRh_0x9UUvwUZLvg9Lr_jAEGkDovzIaTX0LTS0tbgcP3dMCgb05BKgEIo9_faHOgV71yIkJQ4ew/s1600/Andrzej_Ciechanowiecki_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHhefhoIKomdoqviKvnthYz7jp0Ww9hGdQvEaz75rTGv2bOGBrH9h9mgcMGbFAhubTRh_0x9UUvwUZLvg9Lr_jAEGkDovzIaTX0LTS0tbgcP3dMCgb05BKgEIo9_faHOgV71yIkJQ4ew/s320/Andrzej_Ciechanowiecki_01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Bust of Andrzej Ciechanowiecki </span></td></tr>
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Honorary Doctorates:<br />
University of Warsaw, Poland (1991)<br />
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA (1992)<br />
Belarusian State University, Minsk (1993)<br />
Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland (2009)<br />
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In addition he was:<br />
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Honorary Professor of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Honorary Member or Life Member of many learned societies both foreign and Polish, FSA, member of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, member of the Board of the (Countess) Lanckoroński Foundation, Council Member of the Princes Czartoryski Foundation, the Counts Raczyński Foundation, and the Polish Historical & Literary Society in Paris (SHLP), chairman of the Polish-Belarusian Bilateral Commission for the Conservation of the National Patrimony.<br />
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However to his English friends, who could not pronounce his surname "Ciechanowiecki" he was simply "Chicken and Whisky".<br />
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The funeral will be at the Brompton Oratory.<br />
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RIPUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-59988820579154346012015-02-07T11:29:00.000+00:002016-12-02T13:11:25.272+00:00Release of My Book: "A London Peculiar: The London You Missed"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHRZGBvqYyXF88WVsjdiHm8wv-LPleRkyD3c3dlhS5-GW-wJTUKZIvAcs9lNLrSpPQFV6cABJYjTHA1Bwz24o1WAF_Lgys08DY08RAq1DTsvtzRed8aEmulBzAGzqskRNRnL-WclS3EU/s1600/London+Peculiar+Cover+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHRZGBvqYyXF88WVsjdiHm8wv-LPleRkyD3c3dlhS5-GW-wJTUKZIvAcs9lNLrSpPQFV6cABJYjTHA1Bwz24o1WAF_Lgys08DY08RAq1DTsvtzRed8aEmulBzAGzqskRNRnL-WclS3EU/s1600/London+Peculiar+Cover+Photo.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
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<div class="yiv1892294607" dir="ltr" id="yiv1892294607yui_3_16_0_1_1423176697429_2439">
<span class="yiv1892294607" id="yiv1892294607yui_3_16_0_1_1423176697429_2456" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I am pleased to announce that my book, <b class="yiv1892294607" id="yiv1892294607yui_3_16_0_1_1423176697429_2514"><i class="yiv1892294607" id="yiv1892294607yui_3_16_0_1_1423176697429_2513">A London Peculiar: The London You Missed</i></b>, is now available to order from most good bookshops (in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia & New Zealand). </span></div>
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<span class="yiv1892294607" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Come on a fascinating journey through a London less explored and discover some of the most unusual and intriguing hidden gems to be found in the city. </span><br />
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<span class="yiv1892294607" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To "Look Inside" the book, please click on this link and you will be taken to Amazon's website:</span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=rafeheydmank-21&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=1742575730&asins=1742575730&linkId=FM4GBYCWTF27BGL4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<div class="yiv1892294607" dir="ltr" id="yiv1892294607yui_3_16_0_1_1423176697429_2439">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>A London Peculiar</i></b> shines a light into London's secret corners, revealing a remarkable array of little-known curiosities, many of which are published here for the first time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Highlights include:</span><br />
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<div class="yiv1892294607" dir="ltr" id="yiv1892294607yui_3_16_0_1_1423176697429_2439">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* James Bond's London - where to dress, dine and drink like Ian Fleming and James Bond </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The terrifying cell in which the Knights Templar were imprisoned </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* London's only lighthouse </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* London's smallest and oldest houses </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The "Birthplace of America" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The exclusive shops that supply the Royal Family </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The pub frequented by Jack the Ripper's victims </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The church that was used by the KGB for Cold War espionage </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The street that is home to the world's oldest hat,wine, tobacco and barber shops </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The alleyways in which Charles Dickens dined and in which he set Scrooge's counting house </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The Seven Noses of Soho </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* London's strangest museums </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Fences made from Second World War air raid stretchers </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The rose garden in which Shakespeare set the start of the War of the Roses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>A London Peculiar</i></b> is an insider's guide that will entertain those who have never been to London, those who are seasoned visitors and those who call London home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To order <b><i>A London Peculiar</i></b> or "Look Inside", please click here:</span><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "new york" , "times" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1892294607" dir="ltr" id="yiv1892294607yui_3_16_0_1_1423176697429_2439" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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</iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-84303210127734471082014-10-11T14:12:00.000+00:002016-12-02T13:12:21.716+00:00Should Canada Create Knighthoods? (CBC Article, Radio Interview & Online Vote)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7OEe6E9E9mLlIkQiwxbFM95tXXR-OoT4jgodyf7lb8k5TQdwFNerMHymrxTmUQXxi8JDFibG84iIumnmo5Xkd89F7gWjM-QDicsngDjYtt4CgtcoG1Sa_FxuB3qFXTAFZFZr22AZkKg/s1600/KT3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7OEe6E9E9mLlIkQiwxbFM95tXXR-OoT4jgodyf7lb8k5TQdwFNerMHymrxTmUQXxi8JDFibG84iIumnmo5Xkd89F7gWjM-QDicsngDjYtt4CgtcoG1Sa_FxuB3qFXTAFZFZr22AZkKg/s1600/KT3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This week, following recent news items about Americans receiving knighthoods from HM The Queen, Canada's CBC Radio broadcast an interview with me as part of a segment about the desirability of Canadian knighthoods.<br />
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The segment may be heard here: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/the180/popupaudio.html?clipIds=2550150946" target="_blank">Audio: Knighthoods for Canadians?</a><br />
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CBC Radio is also featuring an online poll in which Canadians can vote for one of the three Canadians I have suggested as suitable contenders for a titular honour: Astronaut Chris Hadfield, sportsman Wayne Gretzky and singer Anne Murray. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxfj3OUK4uJInV8gW-cvDURONK2hqVhHWlG9yBDM3sX_WNU2PGxsvu2lSB0ab1I4_WPCi1AqVnG0ZGY2QPrQrYF-ylYyJwWG94ErAY8jLKVQYAM0fd-Qlb0GFPe-Sk5Uz6mR-18z6QjQ/s1600/KT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxfj3OUK4uJInV8gW-cvDURONK2hqVhHWlG9yBDM3sX_WNU2PGxsvu2lSB0ab1I4_WPCi1AqVnG0ZGY2QPrQrYF-ylYyJwWG94ErAY8jLKVQYAM0fd-Qlb0GFPe-Sk5Uz6mR-18z6QjQ/s1600/KT2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Voting is still underway at this link: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/the180/excerpts/2014/10/07/why-can-he-be-a-knightbut-you-cant/" target="_blank">Why Canadians can't be 'Dames' or 'Sirs'-- and why some people want that to change</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-43085804865161794152014-09-11T11:03:00.000+00:002014-09-11T11:03:34.704+00:00Wartime Propaganda Posters that Promote British Patriotism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpr0HuRC9TRn4AbmjWtej3_J8_mdI8_qCisYLGn8WL2LPDF8bwu3lI_uAZPYPt0s_FE4Nx6myKIi-fCmOfo78S5EQRHy5qGR9SJjUWrmtjq_McyJzh4jSReOlGHGc0BSj5yBssS_EA5c/s1600/its-up-to-you_2249274k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpr0HuRC9TRn4AbmjWtej3_J8_mdI8_qCisYLGn8WL2LPDF8bwu3lI_uAZPYPt0s_FE4Nx6myKIi-fCmOfo78S5EQRHy5qGR9SJjUWrmtjq_McyJzh4jSReOlGHGc0BSj5yBssS_EA5c/s1600/its-up-to-you_2249274k.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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In the context of this week's Scottish independence referendum campaign, it is interesting to reflect on the strong unionist symbols used in wartime propaganda posters.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-11458591375713616012014-09-09T01:38:00.001+00:002014-10-20T17:29:11.418+00:00Scottish Referendum and The Queen's Speech -- Precedents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The front page of today's <i>Daily Telegraph</i> contains an article bearing the dramatic title "<b>Scottish Independence: The Queen is Urged to Intervene</b>". Following the release of a second opinion poll (this one by TNS) confirming that the shambolic Better Together campaign is indeed running neck and neck with the Yes Campaign, several panicked MPs are now urging the Prime Minister to request that The Queen intervene at this time of national crisis.<br />
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In support of their request, the MPs make reference to an earlier precedent: The Queen's Silver Jubilee speech of 1977 in which, in the context of the possibility of devolution and the damage it might cause to the Union, Her Majesty made what was perhaps her most political statement:<br />
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"<i>I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and of Northern Ireland. Perhaps this Jubilee is a time to remind ourselves of the benefits which union has conferred, at home and in our international dealings, on the inhabitants of all parts of the United Kingdom.</i>”<br />
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This brief statement was not a compromising political intervention but it enabled The Queen to speak in support of the Union, an issue that falls squarely within the fundamental interest of the Crown, and which it is the Crown's duty to protect. Importantly (and in stark contrast to any speech that might be delivered in the next few days) this carefully crafted speech, long in the planning, was not delivered in the run up to a highly charged political vote, but was presented at an appropriate time and place. <br />
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Unfortunately, The Queen's other comments relating to political affairs are not quoted in <i>The Telegraph</i> article, which is a shame. No British commentator or expert appears to be aware that The Queen, in her role as Queen of Canada, twice involved herself in an equally sensitive issue of national unity. In 1987 The Queen delivered two speeches in which she spoke about the Meech Lake Accord, a controversial accord designed to strengthen Quebec's position within the Canadian family. When the Accord was rejected in 1990, the future of a united Canada appeared uncertain and the possibility of Quebec separation seemed very real, as real as Scottish separation seems today.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Queen arriving at Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada, 1990</td></tr>
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In the middle of this intense and very nasty political drama, The Queen made an official visit to her Canadian realm to participate in the huge Canada Day celebration that is held annually outside Ottawa's Houses of Parliament, and which is the focus of national attention. On the advice of her Canadian ministers The Queen delivered a moving, and perfectly pitched, speech to the tens of thousands of people who were assembled in front of Parliament; it was also broadcast live on television to millions of homes.<br />
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Her Majesty's words in Ottawa in 1990 could well be repeated today in Edinburgh:<br />
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<b>"<i>I am not just a fair-weather friend and I am glad to be here at this sensitive time. I hope my presence may call to mind those many years of shared experience and raise new hopes for the future. The unity of the Canadian people was the paramount issue in 1867 as it is today. There is no force except the force of will to keep Canadians together.</i>"</b><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-82514109397690398292014-09-03T10:59:00.000+00:002014-09-03T10:59:16.840+00:00"Winston Is Back": 75th Anniversary of Churchill's Appointment as First Lord of the Admiralty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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75 years ago today, Britain declared war on Germany and Winston Churchill was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, a position he had held during the Great War. <div>
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10 minutes after the Royal Navy received notification of the commencement of hostilities against Germany, the Admiralty sent a second telegram to the fleet. The telegram contained only three words, three words that Lord Mountbatten said had 'an electrifying effect throughout the fleet': "WINSTON IS BACK." </div>
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<br />This clip from "The Gathering Storm", with Albert Finney as Winston Churchill, captures the spirit of the occasion. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<br /><br />"Cometh the hour, cometh the man." In this period of immense geo-political instability some may have good reason to ask "Where is our Churchill?"<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-24441188626177272872014-06-06T15:51:00.003+00:002014-06-06T16:08:10.746+00:00The New World steps forth to help the Old.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Seeing this image taken today in France of The Queen gallantly assisted by the President of the United States and the Governor General of New Zealand at the international ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day, some words of Sir Winston Churchill immediately sprang to my mind:<br />
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"<b>...the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the Old.</b>" <br />
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("We Shall Fight On the Beaches" speech to Parliament, June 4, 1940)<br />
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I shall refrain from commenting (as others already have) on the obvious symbolism of the Russian leader's isolation from the main group of western leaders. <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-63639866338017774292014-05-20T07:50:00.000+00:002014-05-20T20:23:12.105+00:00Canada's Prince: The Canadian Associations of HRH The Prince of Wales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83EBixrmCfv9XpiPLyr8x-7QTQJZogr5US6nhv5pt-OkLa_Efc2EdCAKR4bwtG6jKRhXcwEifnZCrTEy1DOf6LM6bgT7ANQtla8OcQ73aUQiXZyS867CtaR_lu8AbA4G2ANM5SZAWYA4/s1600/PofW+Flag+Canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83EBixrmCfv9XpiPLyr8x-7QTQJZogr5US6nhv5pt-OkLa_Efc2EdCAKR4bwtG6jKRhXcwEifnZCrTEy1DOf6LM6bgT7ANQtla8OcQ73aUQiXZyS867CtaR_lu8AbA4G2ANM5SZAWYA4/s1600/PofW+Flag+Canada.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTi3DX4vMZN0q9sdGAP5wmFWCrX38_A7YZSlsuxNuOZePKwQzh6elfVlyUHCYQNN-YOMH9Gfi1VRXCkxBawb75T8PjIIbbqteA750QtVMKet0NhBfTnRbjKCWdPNFrOAsRrCMyYP-3wI/s1600/privy+canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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The Royal Canadian Homecoming of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall commenced on 18 May. On that day, the day before Victoria Day (The Official Birthday in Canada of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada), The Prince of Wales was appointed to The Queen’s Privy Council for Canada. HRH was sworn in as a Privy Councillor during a private audience with His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, at Government House, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.</div>
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The Prince of Wales's father, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, is the second-longest serving member of The Queen's Privy Council for Canada (appointed 1957).</div>
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The Privy Council advises the Government of Canada and includes all past and present Ministers, as well as a number of select persons honoured for their contributions to Canada.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRH The Prince of Wales with HE The Governor General of Canada at Government House, Halifax, Nova Scotia<br />
(C) The Government of Canada</td></tr>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Quick Canadian Facts about The Prince of Wales (some courtesy of the Canadian Prime Minister's Office):</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The Prince of Wales has been visiting Canada for almost 45 years. He has visited Canada from coast to coast to coast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year’s Royal Tour is His Royal Highness’ 17th Tour of Canada. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During this year’s Tour of Canada, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will join Canadians in marking milestones in the country’s history in the lead up to the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Prince of Wales is patron or president of more than 400 organizations around the world. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRH The Prince of Wales in the uniform of a Lieutenant General in the Canadian Army</td></tr>
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HRH is a Vice-Admiral in the Royal Canadian Navy, a Lieutenant General in the Canadian Army and a Lieutenant General in the Royal Canadian Air Force.</div>
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HRH is Honorary Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Colonel-in-Chief of several regiments and the air reserve:</div>
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<li>Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadian)</li>
<li>The Royal Winnipeg Rifles</li>
<li>The Royal Regiment of Canada</li>
<li>The Royal Canadian Dragoons</li>
<li>The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada</li>
<li>The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)</li>
<li>The Air Reserve Group</li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">HRH is an Honorary Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, holds the Canadian Forces Decoration and two clasps, as well as the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">HRH's patronages include Canadian organizations, such as The RCMP Foundation, The Willowbank School of Restoration Arts, The Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, The Regina Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, The Royal Conservatory of Music and Earth Rangers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">HRH is responsible for the creation of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (the Canadian affiliate of the Prince’s Youth Business International), that helps disadvantaged young people become entrepreneurs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">HRH is a strong proponent of the conservation of historical Canadian places including through the Prize for Municipal Heritage Leadership that bears his name. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">HRH is also an honorary member of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects and the Canadian Society of Painters in watercolour. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-46900558677099687072014-05-20T07:21:00.000+00:002014-05-20T07:21:32.908+00:00Pre-Royal Tour Reception for UK-resident Canadians hosted by Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall at St. James's Palace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Wednesday 14 May, in preparation for the Royal Tour of Canada of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (commencing 18 May), a reception for Canadians working or living in the United Kingdom was hosted by The Prince and The Duchess in the State Apartments of St. James's Palace.<br />
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The weather, which in London can be very unpredictable, was warm, bright and sunny. This afforded guests the opportunity to visit the garden of St. James's Palace (which is shared with Clarence House).<br />
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TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall spent 1.5 hours meeting the (approximately) 100 Canadians who were present.<br />
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Photographs from the event may be seen <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishmonarchy/sets/72157644671502094/" target="_blank">HERE at the official Flickr site of The British Monarchy</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-47587290654102303192014-05-08T11:54:00.000+00:002014-06-06T17:54:27.504+00:008 May - VE Day 1945 -- The Royal Family and Winston Churchill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Family and Prime Minister Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, VE Day 1945</td></tr>
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Today, 8 May, is the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).<br />
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Last month British Pathe released into the public domain some 80,000 newsreel items from its extensive archives. A remarkable range of subjects are covered. Amongst the items is this footage of Winston Churchill rehearsing his VE Day speech. I believe this is the first time this footage has been seen in public. Well worth watching, particularly for his rousing finish: "Advance Britannia! Long live the cause of freedom! God save the King!:<br />
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Additionally, here is some rarely seen colour footage of the Royal Family and Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on VE Day. The Royal Family are extremely relaxed. Note the three different styles of royal waves -- none of which have survived to this day. Churchill does not wave (it would have been deemed inappropriate). He is one of only two politicians to have been honoured to join the Royal Family on the balcony.<br />
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As part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of VE Day in 1995, a flag-waving crowd of hundreds of thousands gathered outside Buckingham Palace, similar in size to that which had gathered in 1945. Legendary wartime singer Vera Lynn and other well-known figures were present to entertain the crowd. </div>
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The doors to the Buckingham Palace balcony opened and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother walked out on to the balcony and stood alone for approximately one minute -- cheered by the adoring crowd. The Queen and Princess Margaret then walked out and stood either side of their mother. A moving recreation of the balcony scene from 1945 (only Churchill and George VI missing). </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-71748477091284236952014-05-03T10:41:00.000+00:002016-12-08T23:52:58.109+00:00In Memoriam: Mark Turnham Elvins and Peter Drummond-Murray -- kindred spirits cut from different cloth <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The small world of British Catholic heraldry has become even smaller. Over the past three weeks, two legendary and learned figures have died: Peter Drummond-Murray of Mastrick (24 November 1929 - 13 April 2014) and Mark Turnham Elvins OFMCap (26 November 1939 - 1 May 2014).<br />
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I was glad to be a friend and colleague of both and, although we had not been in contact for many months, they shall be missed. Although very different personalities, they were equally rich in character and their interests were remarkably similar: heraldry, monarchy, chivalry and the military-religious orders, Jacobitism and the Stuarts, the Catholic church. Mark had worked for <i>Debrett's</i>, Peter had contributed to <i>Burke's Peerage</i>. Both belonged to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Drummond-Murray of Mastrik as Slains Pursuivant to the Chief of the Name and Arms of Hay --<br />
The Earl of Erroll, Lord High Constable of Scotland</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Turnham Elvins OFMCap as a professed in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin<br />
with Colonel James Bogle at the Royal Stuart Society's wreath-laying ceremony<br />
at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, 2007</td></tr>
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Having served with the Honourable Artillery Company, Mark Turnham Elvins reached the rank of Captain in the Royal Army Chaplains' Department before converting to Catholicism and becoming Assistant Curate at Arundel Cathedral and Chantry Priest to the Duke of Norfolk. A professed in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, Turnham Elvins was appointed Warden of Greyfriars, Oxford in 2007, a year later becoming Guardian of the Friary (Greyfriars) following the dissolution of the permanent private hall.</div>
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In 2007, on behalf of the Royal Stuart Society, I co-organised a special commemorative wreath-laying ceremony and luncheon at the Royal Hospital Chelsea to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Henry, Cardinal Duke of York, the last male member of the Royal House of Stuart. I invited Mark Turnham Elvins to lead prayers at the statue of King Charles II immediately before the placing of wreaths. Having been involved with Stuart societies in the 1960s, Mark had lost contact with many in this field and he was delighted to reconnect with several old friends, most notably David Beattie and the Reverend David Skeoch. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Turnham Elvins OFMCap leads prayers at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, 2007.<br />
Clockwise: Mark Turnham Elvins, The Earl of Lauderdale (Hereditary Bearer of the National Flag of Scotland, <br />
shown here carrying the banner of the Royal Stuart Society), and the four wreath bearers:<br />
Philip Bonn, Lord Aylmer, Rafe Heydel-Mankoo, David Lumsden of Cushnie. </td></tr>
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Mark was a prolific writer, particularly on subjects related to heraldry and the Church. One of his most notable publications was the excellent Cardinals and Heraldry (the foreward of which was written by the Archbishop of Birmingham, Maurice Couve de Murvilee, and the preface of which was written by John Brooke-Little, then Norroy & Ulster King of Arms). The Heraldry Society continues to hold an annual "Mark Elvins Lecture" <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> </span></div>
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Peter Drummond-Murray was a successful stockbroker and businessman who served as Chancellor of the British Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta from 1977 to 1989. Appointed a Knight Grand Cross in 1988 he was elevated to the highest rank of Bailiff Grand Cross in 2013, a few months before his death. Genealogist for the Order in Scotland, Peter Drummond-Murray was justly proud of his noble and illustrious Jacobite forebears -- and no doubt they would have been equally proud of his enthusiasm for the Stuarts. Peter Drummond-Murray was instrumental in commissioning a beautifully painted seize-quartiers (16 noble quarterings) of Charles Edward Stuart and his brother Henry, the Cardinal Duke of York, copies of which were sold by the Royal Stuart Society (pictured below).<br />
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A sometime chairman of the Heraldry Society of Scotland, Peter Drummond-Murray's most notable publication was a roll of the martyr ancestors of the British Knights of Malta. "Blood of the Martyrs", which he co-authored with Sir Conrad Swan (then Garter King of Arms), was published in 1993. </div>
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In 1982 Peter Drummond-Murray became one of the private heralds of Scotland when he was appointed Slains Pursuivant to the Chief of the Arms and Name of Hay -- The Earl of Erroll, High Constable of Scotland. In 2006, Peter wore his tabard as Slains Pursuivant in the 2006 Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences in St. Andrews Scotland. The Congress was probably the largest gathering of heralds in tabard since medieval times.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Scottish private heralds in 2006 -- Front: Slains Pursuivant (the late Peter Drummond-Murray) and<br />
Garioch Pursuivant of the Chief of the Name and Arms of Mar -- The Countess of Mar (the late David Lumsden of Cushnie). Rear: Finlaggan Pursuivant of Clan Douglas (The Hon. Adam Bruce, now Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary of the Court of Lord Lyon)</td></tr>
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Peter Drummond-Murray once told an elderly friend who was despairing that all of their friends were dying: "Look on the bright side -- all our enemies are dying too." With the death in short succession of both Mark and Peter I fear the scales are considerably out of balance.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-78858024974894618252014-04-27T10:03:00.000+00:002014-04-27T12:22:13.044+00:00"Privilegio del Bianco" exercised by The Queen of Spain at the Canonisation of Saint John Paul II and Saint John XXIII<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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TM The King & Queen of Spain, TRH The Grand Duke & Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, TM King Albert and Queen Paola of Belgium and HMEmH The Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta were amongst the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the canonsiation of Saint John Paul II and Saint John XXIII by HH The Pope. HRH The Duke of Gloucester represented HM The Queen.<br />
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Estimates vary, but some commentators believe up to 1 million people may have attended the divine liturgy and accompanying ceremony. Much of St. Peter's Square was awash with Polish flags, at times resembling the sails from a flotilla, as Poles paid tribute to their great national hero, Saint John Paul II.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: HM King Albert of Belgium, HM The King of Spain, HM The Queen of Spain</td></tr>
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As seen above, Queen Sofia exercised the "Privilegio del Bianco" (a.k.a. "Privilege du Blanc"), the privilege accorded to certain Catholic queens, princesses and duchesses to dress in white, with a white mantilla, for papal audiences and other special occasions. Queen Paola and The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg were similarly attired. The head of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household is likely to have decreed that this privilege would apply for this special occasion.<br />
<br /> The privilege is not automatically granted to all Catholic queens or consorts. Historically it has been held by the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, the Queens of France, Spain, Bavaria, Naples, Italy and Belgium, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and princesses of the House of Savoy. <br /><br />Most recently it was extended to Princess Charlene of Monaco -- she wore white during a papal audience with Pope Benedict in 2013. The privilege has not been extended to Liechtenstein.<br /><br />It is worth noting that Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (who is a Catholic despite marrying into the protestant royal family) also does not have the Privilegio del Bianco -- but as she was born in Argentina perhaps Pope Francis may choose to make this another reform! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-11020534286157232632014-04-15T10:56:00.000+00:002014-05-03T10:55:18.488+00:00BBC TV Interview -- Royal Tour of New Zealand: The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and the popularity of the MonarchyI appeared on BBC News TV yesterday to discuss the success of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's tour of New Zealand and to examine and compare the popularity of the Monarchy in Australia and New Zealand.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-44174480242997955122014-03-03T13:36:00.000+00:002014-10-25T11:46:57.061+00:00Victory for the Monarchy at Cambridge Union Debate - 27 February 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Thursday, 27th February I was pleased to participate in a lively debate at the Cambridge Union on the motion "This House Would Abolish The Monarchy".<br />
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Hugo Vickers, Rose Beal and I formed the Opposition and spoke in support of the Crown. I am happy to report that we successfully defeated the motion -- the vote was 105 against the motion (i.e. in support of the Monarchy) and 65 for the motion.<br />
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Founded in 1815, the Cambridge Union Society is the world's oldest operating debating society and the largest society at the University of Cambridge. The Union served as a model for the foundation of other university debating societies, including the Oxford Union and the Yale Political Union.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chamber of the Cambridge Union (C) Cambridge Union Society</td></tr>
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Full details of the debate and participants are included below:<br />
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This House Would Abolish The Monarchy</h1>
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The announcement that Prince William is studying in Cambridge this term has prompted comment and outcry across the national and student media. The monarchy is Britain’s most iconic national institution, a central non-partisan plank of our constitution – according to some. For others, it is an outdated relic that impedes our democracy and entrenches elitism. In this debate, we put the arguments, and the modern monarchy, to the test.</div>
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<strong>Proposition:</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: fontin; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><em><strong>Graham Smith</strong></em><b><i> </i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">is chief executive of the pressure group Republic, which calls for an elected head of state. Graham also writes for the Guardian.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: fontin; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><i>Peter Kellow </i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">is Leader of the Democratic Republican Party, and writer for the Huffington Post. Peter believes there is a need for radical changes in UK politics.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: fontin; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><i>Kate Maltby </i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">is a member of the executive team for Bright Blue, a pressure group for liberal conservatism. Kate writes for the Telegraph on politics and culture.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: fontin; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>Opposition:</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: fontin; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><i>Hugo Vickers </i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">is known for writing royal biographies such as </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><i>Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Hugo was appointed Chairman of the Jubilee Walkway Trust in 2002.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: fontin; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><i>Rafe Heydel-Mankoo</i></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> is a historian and royal commentator. He is the deputy editor of <em>Burke's Peerage: World Orders of Knighthood</em></span><span style="color: black;">, and a Research Associate at the public policy think tank, ResPublica.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: fontin; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><i>Rose Beale </i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">is a finalist at Trinity studying management. Rose has been involved in Trinity Politics, the Wilberforce Society and Cambridge Development Initiative.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: fontin; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>RESULT: Proposition AYES: 65. Opposition NOES: 105</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-23624347109592637842014-01-28T14:03:00.001+00:002014-10-25T11:49:10.698+00:00The Last Indian Member of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India - The Maharani of Travancore<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYdX9fcTDeoJJGva0xNIkACXTTdtXCYMgwSwmd6ZKWr-XCpn-HSuFLi-GdF7JazpTpVeb7OcNNPq4P7ezYWZ_Wb1fkNLNlpTpY7YZAE85i4u9RysPbKvJj4x-VkDJHLH87wP9bCFPe1I/s1600/India.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYdX9fcTDeoJJGva0xNIkACXTTdtXCYMgwSwmd6ZKWr-XCpn-HSuFLi-GdF7JazpTpVeb7OcNNPq4P7ezYWZ_Wb1fkNLNlpTpY7YZAE85i4u9RysPbKvJj4x-VkDJHLH87wP9bCFPe1I/s1600/India.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HH Sri Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1922-2013)<br />Maharaja of Travancore (1991-2013)</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />My letter to the editor of The Times following the publication of the obituary of </span>HH Sri Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma, Maharaja of Travancore was published today. The Maharaja's brother had been the last ruling Maharaja of Travancore and, in that capacity, was the hereditary guardian to a temple containing an ancient horde of treasure valued at many billions of pounds. However as hereditary guardians, generations of maharajas of Travancore, remaining true to their faith, refused to sell a single item from this immense treasure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Imperial Order of the Crown of India</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Sir,<br /><br />As a footnote to your obituary of HH Sri Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma, Maharaja of Travancore, it is worth noting that his aunt Maharani Pooradam Thirunal Sethu Lakshmi Bayi (1895-1985) was the last Indian member of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Maharani Pooradam Thirunal Sethu Lakshmi Bayi CI(1895-1985) </span></td></tr>
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Founded by Queen Victoria in 1878, the Imperial Order of the Crown of India was a "ladies' order" restricted to female members of the Royal Family and Indian princely families, as well as the families of senior British officials in India. Sri Uthradom's aunt was appointed to the Order in 1929 in recognition of her service as Maharani Regent of Travancore (1924-1931) during the minority of her nephew, Varma's brother, Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma (later Major General HH Sri Chithira Thirunal Sir Balarama Varma, GCSI, GCIE, the last ruling Maharaja of Travancore). Along with the insignia, members were entitled to bear the post-nominals "CI". <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon CI, GCVO<br />
Wearing the insignia of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India<br />
along with the Royal Family Orders and the Royal Victorian Chain</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Following the deaths, in fairly short succession, of HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, the Imperial Order of the Crown of India now has only one surviving member: HM The Queen (who is also Sovereign of the Order). </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Through this membership The Queen provides one of the last direct connections to the British Raj. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lord Mountbatten once said of the Maharani of Travancore: "<i>No one who met her once could ever forget her. She stands as a shining example to womanhood as a great queen and a great woman</i>." I'd wager many would say the same of our own Queen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Sincerely,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rafe Heydel-Mankoo</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-18374222378275545252014-01-25T14:12:00.001+00:002014-01-25T15:24:17.892+00:00Act of Reconciliation signed between the claimants to headship of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday, Friday, 24 January 2014, was a day of great importance for the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, for the Illustrious Royal Order of St. Januarius/San Gennaro, for the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and for all their friends and supporters. <br />
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An Act of Reconciliation between both branches of the House was signed in Naples by HRH Don Pedro, Duke of Noto, son of HRH The Infante Don Carlos, Duke of Calabria (head of the Spanish line), and HRH Don Carlo, Duke of Castro (head of the Neapolitan line). Let us hope that this will be but the first step towards greater cooperation and an enduring and harmonious rapprochement.<br />
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The two branches have come together in Naples for the Beatification of HM Queen Maria Cristina of the Two Sicilies (1812-1836), the first Queen consort of Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies, which takes place today at the Basilica of Santa Chiara, where HLM is buried.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-1573007349348194222014-01-21T00:06:00.000+00:002014-01-21T14:15:37.890+00:00Centenary of the Death of a Titan of the British Empire: Lord Strachcona and Mount Royal -- Candian imperialist, philanthropist, businessman (1820-1914)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rt. Hon. The Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal,<br />
GCMG, GVCO, PC, DL (1820-1914)</td></tr>
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Today, 21 January 2014, marks the centenary of the death of one of the towering figures of the British Empire: the great Canadian imperialist, philanthropist, businessman and politician, Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, GCMG, GCVO, PC, DL.<br />
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Having achieved phenomenal success, wealth and power in Canada, Lord Strathcona spent his final years in London. Appropriately for a great architect of the British Empire, his funeral service was conducted at Westminster Abbey, where a commemorative stained glass window remains to this day.<br />
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Lord Strathcona's imposing mausoleum stands near the entrance to London's famed Highgate Cemetery.<br />
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Despite his extremely long, successful and varied career, Lord Strathcona is perhaps best remembered for driving "The Last Spike" into the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway, the construction of which was essential for the creation of modern Canada and became a symbol of national unity. </div>
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The photograph taken of Lord Strathcona on that occasion (shown below) remains one of the iconic images of Canadian history and is regarded as a symbol of national pride and achievement. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arguably Canada's most famous and historically significant photograph.<br />
"The Last Spike": Lord Strathcona & Mount Royal drives the final spike into the Canadian Pacific Railway, 7 Nov. 1885.<br />
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Unlike the final spikes used to complete other railways, The Last Spike in the Canadian Pacific Railway was neither gold nor silver but was identical to the millions of other spikes that had been laid along the route.</td></tr>
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Born in Scotland in 1820, Donald Smith emigrated to Lower Canada at the age of 18 to take up a position with the Hudson's Bay Company. He steadily rose through the ranks of the Company whilst simultaneously finding time to successfully stand for election: first to the Manitoba legislature and subsequently to the Canadian House of Commons, where he sat intermittently from 1871 through to the 1890s, staunchly defending the Hudson's Bay Company. Smith would eventually become a commissioner of the Company, its principal shareholder and, ultimately, its 26th Governor -- a position he held until his death. His 75 year record of service with the Hudson's Bay Company remains unequalled. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaque commemorating<br />
"The Last Spike"</td></tr>
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A silent, but substantial, partner in the syndicate that founded the Canadian Pacific Railway, Smith became a director of the company in 1883 and had the honour of driving the Last Spike into the transcontinental railway 5 years later. During this same period, Smith, who had earlier helped established the Bank of Manitoba, was appointed to the board of the Bank of Montreal (1872), subsequently becoming Vice President (1882) and President (1887).<br />
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In 1896 Smith declined the offer to succeed Canadian Prime Minister Sir Mackenzie Bowell and, instead, accepted appointment as Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. A month after his appointment he was elevated from Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (1886) to Grand Cross of the Order (GCMG) in The Queen's Birthday Honours List. A year later he was created <b><i>Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, of Glencoe in the County of Argyll and of Mount Royal in the Province of Quebec and Dominion of Canada. </i></b><br />
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Continuing his business interests, Smith helped to establish the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (the forerunner of British Petroleum / BP) and would become its chairman in 1909.<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
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During his service as High Commissioner in London, Lord Strathcona raised a private unit of Canadian soldiers to fight in the Second Boer War. One of the last private regiments to be established during the British Empire, <b>the Strathcona Horse</b> was recruited and equipped at Lord Strathcona's expense. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadian) in ceremonial uniform today</td></tr>
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According to tradition, the famous "Strathcona Boots" worn in dress uniform by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were adopted by the Mounties after they served with the Strathcona Horse during the Boer War. The famous stetsons worn by the Mounties were also allegedly inspired during this period, perhaps from the Strathcona Horse. Disbanded in 1901 and revived in 1909, with augmentations to its name,<b> Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)</b> exists today as a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Army with HRH The Prince of Wales as its Colonel-in-Chief.<br />
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In keeping with the spirit of the age, Lord Strathcona became one of the Empire's greatest philanthropists, using his wealth to support organisations in the UK, Canada and across the Empire. With his cousin and Canadian Pacific Railway partner Lord Mount Stephen, Lord Strathcona funded the construction of Montreal's famous Royal Victoria Hospital. Established in 1893 "to be for the use of the sick and ailing without distinction of race or creed", the "Royal Vic" was the most advanced and best equipped hospital in North America. The hospital exists to this day and is closely affiliated with that other great Montreal institution, McGill University. A major benefactor to McGill, Lord Strathcona established a school for women there in 1884 and would become Chancellor of the University from 1888 until his death.<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stunning Imperial Institute. Nothing remains of the original building save for the<br />
tremendous tower. The rest of the buildilng was destroyed by architectural vandals to<br />
redevelop the site for Imperial College</td></tr>
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In Britain his philanthropy contributed to Aberdeen University, the Sheffield Scientific School and the Imperial Institute (later the Commonwealth Institute), the original site of which is now home to Imperial College in South Kensington. He also contributed generously, along with his cousin Lord Mount Stephen, to The Prince of Wales Hospital Fund (now The King's Fund). In 1908 King Edward VII (who regarded Lord Strathcona as a friend) appointed him a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lord Strathcona Medal,<br />
the highest award that can be conferred on<br />
a Canadian cadet.<br />
The Medal bears the bust of Lord Strathcona</td></tr>
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Through Lord Strathcona's generous endowment to the Royal Canadian Army Cadets and his desire to promote patriotism, the Lord Strathcona Medal was established as the highest award that can be bestowed upon a Canadian cadet. Today it continues to be conferred in recognition of outstanding performance in physical and military training.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knebworth House, leased by Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal until his death</td></tr>
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In England, Lord Strathcona lived at 53 Cadogan Square in London and leased Knebworth House until his death. In Scotland he owned Glencoe House and Colonsay House (having purchased the Inner Hebrides island of Colonsay in 1905, which remains in the possession of the family today). In Montreal Lord Strathcona lived at 1157 Dorchester Street in the famous Golden Square Mile. <br />
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Lord Strathcona's memory lives on through numerous portraits, memorials, streets, parks and municipalities in Canada.<br />
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In Britain his memory endures though the memorial stained glass window erected in Westminster Abbey (see below) and also at his imposing Mausoleum in London's celebrated Highgate Cemetery. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westminster Abbey's Memorial Window to<br />
Lord Strathcona & Mount Royal<br />
Dedicated on Dominion Day, 1 July 1919<br />
(five years after Lord Strathcona's funeral in the Abbey)<br />
The window is inscribed: <br />
"In Memory of Baron Strathcona & Mount Royal. B. 1820. A Great Canadian Imperialist and Philanthropist. D. 1914"<br />
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The window displays the armorial bearings of Canada, the Hudson's Bay Company, Lord Strathcona & Mount Royal, the University of McGill and the University of Aberdeen, as well as the shields of Quebec and Manitoba and the regimental badges of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) and the Liverpool Scottish (The King's)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mausoleum of Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal<br />
in Highgate Cemetery, London.<br />
Lord Strathcona's mausoleum is one of the most imposing in the historic cemetery<br />
and occupies a prime position by the entrance. </td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-74769408353275238752014-01-07T17:21:00.001+00:002014-01-08T13:00:18.084+00:00Royal Beards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmlNY5IJ9IphQ-fqv06TMvANX_o2tHthKv4pmmCLazLSQS6y6cJLGdD_nI2YBp15YtPNRRyATl686ZDEBGNWGjLfspv2kP5Jg-3mJ58u7H1L3ffNU8RE3u2uD1pOLgFWbNM_z0pSABRk/s1600/PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmlNY5IJ9IphQ-fqv06TMvANX_o2tHthKv4pmmCLazLSQS6y6cJLGdD_nI2YBp15YtPNRRyATl686ZDEBGNWGjLfspv2kP5Jg-3mJ58u7H1L3ffNU8RE3u2uD1pOLgFWbNM_z0pSABRk/s1600/PH.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></div>
Newspapers and websites are reporting that The Queen "intensely dislikes" facial hair and has "ordered" her grandson Prince Harry to shave the beard he acquired during his recent charity trek to the Antarctic. I would never presume to know the Sovereign's view on beards, but almost all the male members of her family have sported beards at some point:<br />
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When The Queen was born, her beloved grandfather, King George V, sported the most famous beard in the land:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KdDu11agPM5FoqNq500Okx1WiaGoRtkqrtrw_6ShtsIOLawGx_WFYhp2O6PV8tog6ELbKhuoRQtzcAojFaUOLvyCydRIjqMI6FlLKdKERBF5x-dFaVcoLX3w0_F2_ywKuMvtT5-HpnQ/s1600/GV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KdDu11agPM5FoqNq500Okx1WiaGoRtkqrtrw_6ShtsIOLawGx_WFYhp2O6PV8tog6ELbKhuoRQtzcAojFaUOLvyCydRIjqMI6FlLKdKERBF5x-dFaVcoLX3w0_F2_ywKuMvtT5-HpnQ/s1600/GV.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM King George V</td></tr>
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During the Second World War, The Queen's future husband kept to naval traditions by cultivating an impressive beard:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6ATYc8z4N_3OGcjsxJpFFhfB4sGj1krufh2gpqNWJ3RX2bN4rlejLfkdGE5bUNPNfNdBdUgDEfACt7FRuu_FNn7hBulxAp6-90yLAdt3BRZmpPVMp5mYiwe3j5M1yQJuY0xSGO8waiQ/s1600/DoE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6ATYc8z4N_3OGcjsxJpFFhfB4sGj1krufh2gpqNWJ3RX2bN4rlejLfkdGE5bUNPNfNdBdUgDEfACt7FRuu_FNn7hBulxAp6-90yLAdt3BRZmpPVMp5mYiwe3j5M1yQJuY0xSGO8waiQ/s1600/DoE.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRH The Duke of Edinburgh</td></tr>
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Like father, like son:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhix5jd4q3qaiMnGuNKM_VUU0nPkdLNWuOTxf9jWmzWD-Fp5_UzDyi-Nbzi-tBvuuZNYJOUu73EVX10jdoBtbcvmQEP0XpSZ3ivMg7t2SuuaQOtkAg6XtF_EQpQ5blH77ldthPbR7gk1gM/s1600/PoW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhix5jd4q3qaiMnGuNKM_VUU0nPkdLNWuOTxf9jWmzWD-Fp5_UzDyi-Nbzi-tBvuuZNYJOUu73EVX10jdoBtbcvmQEP0XpSZ3ivMg7t2SuuaQOtkAg6XtF_EQpQ5blH77ldthPbR7gk1gM/s1600/PoW.jpg" height="320" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRH The Prince of Wales</td></tr>
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Beards were all the rage in the 1970s:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQYsf2BjbFduUGYJzW4k_tVMefxrQA6vDJLqSpknEBNAnqh6bqH0XzY93lg9BdWhbb3_v0XB9HoUNMIELXh_vWVcq49tzalHo4JVscc6UawKapdbYXz3lweLf92-QnHZRX-HIp5a-tU4/s1600/DoY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQYsf2BjbFduUGYJzW4k_tVMefxrQA6vDJLqSpknEBNAnqh6bqH0XzY93lg9BdWhbb3_v0XB9HoUNMIELXh_vWVcq49tzalHo4JVscc6UawKapdbYXz3lweLf92-QnHZRX-HIp5a-tU4/s1600/DoY.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRH The Duke of York</td></tr>
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And every generation of royal seems keen to try the look:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq25S2iV37p3Wc25HRbN2kpR4_TJj_k2o0eCZAWwtaA7hD2r5dcBYRux87Zzy70HN500-_j1cpPxAnTbasizssZD9mGBPTEM18hyphenhypheniWXgUROPZhI9KL3rQwmgC5CF8YO8mt-UXnEM86kY/s1600/DoC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq25S2iV37p3Wc25HRbN2kpR4_TJj_k2o0eCZAWwtaA7hD2r5dcBYRux87Zzy70HN500-_j1cpPxAnTbasizssZD9mGBPTEM18hyphenhypheniWXgUROPZhI9KL3rQwmgC5CF8YO8mt-UXnEM86kY/s1600/DoC.JPG" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRH The Duke of Cambridge</td></tr>
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One wonders what the King of Beards is thinking today...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAaSGTbOhzF9ZJQb3REVBPu1pN8Ar8cxQ-jX_oQnP77M1YTj7abEGdOcyVhG_blAy3p_-RXRgWKmztExD0PNA_w2nWsBo4AlTMwGw74NFdzvKYjbrJN9pZmWmuWxDoIlayQ7vWgkN8uw/s1600/MK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAaSGTbOhzF9ZJQb3REVBPu1pN8Ar8cxQ-jX_oQnP77M1YTj7abEGdOcyVhG_blAy3p_-RXRgWKmztExD0PNA_w2nWsBo4AlTMwGw74NFdzvKYjbrJN9pZmWmuWxDoIlayQ7vWgkN8uw/s1600/MK.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRH Prince Michael of Kent</td></tr>
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And if beards are a bit too much, there's always the moustache. In 1975 HRH The Prince of Wales shaved off the beard he had acquired during a naval tour of the Canadian Arctic but kept his moustache for his installation as Great Master of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath at Westminster Abbey:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCNJ4paDVbTu5zmZ-vHL7kD7Am6XJq9i2No5h_3e_ZZatyZrU_SQ4ThyVnWHn-N5_9vU33hyatwOtFgaBz-aShaclci0r4GhXbyO9bCyjocHDuLut8sCkFAIzwlBJEmiLI3vYW9EtnHQ/s1600/PoW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCNJ4paDVbTu5zmZ-vHL7kD7Am6XJq9i2No5h_3e_ZZatyZrU_SQ4ThyVnWHn-N5_9vU33hyatwOtFgaBz-aShaclci0r4GhXbyO9bCyjocHDuLut8sCkFAIzwlBJEmiLI3vYW9EtnHQ/s1600/PoW2.jpg" height="400" width="312" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-26694604629447161062013-12-23T22:07:00.000+00:002013-12-23T22:24:45.244+00:00The British Empire Christmas Pudding RecipeRecipe published by The Empire Marketing Board (c.1926-1933), with the permission of King George V, for an Empire Christmas Pudding containing ingredients from every corner of the British Empire. One wonders whether one could easily obtain the ingredients today?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipreQ17UaQYAtR0C218y8qc32m_-vA-rxSj5rbG51KJRg7cUx51asZleBcXPAmvp1_xlf2DcpFQOEwKuRI6TiVslJpKbnzEsHlVykJgUrMIG67VVC9qP6hLeXYF7kotF-o1K9yCzFzx0Y/s1600/empire1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipreQ17UaQYAtR0C218y8qc32m_-vA-rxSj5rbG51KJRg7cUx51asZleBcXPAmvp1_xlf2DcpFQOEwKuRI6TiVslJpKbnzEsHlVykJgUrMIG67VVC9qP6hLeXYF7kotF-o1K9yCzFzx0Y/s640/empire1.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-41324993434535233132013-12-22T11:40:00.000+00:002013-12-23T12:07:14.238+00:00No Australian Knighthoods: Australian Prime Minister Abbot does not support restoration of historic Australian titles<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkV-slrZSScbfMlhBotyXdxarsfDAQQs3nKn0cC9rGEQZz2tjSrsS3fmM76mqMQL0LbDEZxNx3T01LjubxbT-bsNoG9vCdX_Rj9bDWvcEjsVntZaVL49-Hzgq7bYxSXQkCc3o5fqxMDc/s1600/Abbott+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkV-slrZSScbfMlhBotyXdxarsfDAQQs3nKn0cC9rGEQZz2tjSrsS3fmM76mqMQL0LbDEZxNx3T01LjubxbT-bsNoG9vCdX_Rj9bDWvcEjsVntZaVL49-Hzgq7bYxSXQkCc3o5fqxMDc/s320/Abbott+Queen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Queen of Australia meets with her Australian<br />
Prime Minister</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Monarchists and traditionalists will be disappointed and saddened to learn today that Australia's conservative and staunchly monarchist Prime Minister Tony Abbott is not in favour of the restoration of Australian knighthoods as titular grades within the Order of Australia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As the Australian Prime Minister is an unapologetic traditionalist, many had pinned their hopes on him to restore these great symbols of independent national identity; however it appears that Mr. Abbott may wish to avoid repeating the controversy that surrounded the knighthoods when they were first introduced in 1976. Whilst not an end to the matter, this will be a blow for campaigners -- for without the support of such a normally enthusiastic Prime Minister, it is difficult to see how indigenous Australian knighthoods can now be achieved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking to Australia's Sunday Telegraph, PM Abbott said: "</span><i>It's true that some people have said to me: 'What about doing what New Zealand did'...but I don't think it would be practical to just rebadge ACs. There was a rarity to their AC equivalent which made it easier for them to do this....I don't think New Zealand is a relevant model here. The problem is they just basically converted there (sic) ACs into knighthoods. I just don't think that's realistic in this country</i>."<br />
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Mr. Abbott is incorrect. New Zealand did not convert their equivalent of ACs (Companion of the Order of Australia) into knighthoods. Far from it. New Zealand has a 5 grade New Zealand Order of Merit, the two highest grades of which were originally knighthoods but, for a short time, were renamed to non-titular grades before being converted back into knighthoods in 2009. No grades were abolished. Australia, in contrast, had a 5 grade Order of Australia, with a grade of knighthood which ranked above Companion. The grade of knighthood was abolished in 1986, leaving Australia with a 4 grade Order. The issue for Australia is therefore not of "converting" Companions (ACs) into knighthoods but, instead, of restoring the rank of knighthood/damehood (AK/AD) above Companions. That is a different matter entirely, one that is both achievable and desirable. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">As Mr. Abbott has been misinformed about this issue, it is hoped that better information might lead him to a different view.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3xIgK-1ZPweox-_M54rVdgAHf6nwagjhAQqinLoFz0nxjybxYT_rbGk3uagZJUimikm81HwnVv_UWPgRzKihuoNsvlDdTng7wLqmNlcwn8k4DcOv3HqonteUwjTHPBcodaA5SJnj11U/s1600/HMTQ+with+OA+Sovereign's+Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3xIgK-1ZPweox-_M54rVdgAHf6nwagjhAQqinLoFz0nxjybxYT_rbGk3uagZJUimikm81HwnVv_UWPgRzKihuoNsvlDdTng7wLqmNlcwn8k4DcOv3HqonteUwjTHPBcodaA5SJnj11U/s320/HMTQ+with+OA+Sovereign's+Badge.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM The Queen of Australia<br />
wearing the Sovereign's Badge of the<br />
Order of Australia</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Inspired by the Order of Canada, the Order of Australia was established on 14</span><sup style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> February 1975. The Queen of Australia instituted it as a society of honour for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens for achievement or for meritorious service.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Order of Australia comprises a general and a military division and originally had three classes: <i>companion, officer</i> and <i>member. </i>The Queen is Sovereign of the Order and the Governor General is Chancellor and Principal Companion. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was in 1976, during the premiership of Malcolm Fraser, that the letters patent constituting the Order were augmented to include the level of knight/dame (AK/AD) of the Order of Australia, to rank above the class of Companion. At the same time a medal was also added, to rank below the class of Member. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Medal, which, unlike the British Empire Medal and Royal Victoria Medal, is regarded as a class of the Order, allowed for a much needed increase in the number of awards available to recognise those taking a leadership role in local communities and was uncontroversial. The same could not be said for the introduction of Australian knighthoods. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Several distinguished Australians such as novelist and Nobel laureate HC Coombs, who had refused knighthoods in the Imperial Honours system but had been the first to take the new Companion of the Order of Australia, promptly resigned on principle -- and probably because they did not appreciate the existence of a new class above theirs.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo35_wHa4xDMzbdan1FI1BmrZGVCuRKZBBcbp5hrGS4yTNWwHlR5g7WYMpEXOnyA_coTHwwJuN-7fiZlmQw2kZLoT-fIT7Z-dIPR93yH2fCPEstRWLpKjKfblc9w8yjFgXFKoRAU83kRg/s1600/Order+Australia+JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo35_wHa4xDMzbdan1FI1BmrZGVCuRKZBBcbp5hrGS4yTNWwHlR5g7WYMpEXOnyA_coTHwwJuN-7fiZlmQw2kZLoT-fIT7Z-dIPR93yH2fCPEstRWLpKjKfblc9w8yjFgXFKoRAU83kRg/s640/Order+Australia+JPG.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insignia for a Knight and Dame of the Order of Australia</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 1983 when the Labor Party came back into power, Prime Minister Hawke stopped recommending any knights or dames to the Order of Australia. In 1986 after he had won his second election he formally recommended to the Queen that the level of Knight or Dame of the Order of Australia be removed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">During this brief period a total of fourteen knights/dames had been appointed. Although the class was discontinued, holders of the distinction were and are permitted to retain their rank and title. Today, there are two living Knights of the Order of Australia: HRH The Prince of Wales and The Rt. Hon. Sir Ninian Stephen, KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC, former Governor General of Australia. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyR-6rlhNxiHNvTu8MmBN5co7RIyncQEInbnqw541pe6NEJz2oWUrFgcW7mQ1SpngYrihNreteBClZs10kH9RK8SddLZbdn_lI-GuZ3HP5oFIkxFyWANFy7GR-HM268y76aJKCmcsHBc/s1600/GG_Sir_Ninian_Stephen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyR-6rlhNxiHNvTu8MmBN5co7RIyncQEInbnqw541pe6NEJz2oWUrFgcW7mQ1SpngYrihNreteBClZs10kH9RK8SddLZbdn_lI-GuZ3HP5oFIkxFyWANFy7GR-HM268y76aJKCmcsHBc/s400/GG_Sir_Ninian_Stephen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Rt. Hon. Sir Ninian Stephen, KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC, former Governor General of Australia<br />wearing the neck badge and star of a Knight of the Order of Australia, along with the sash, sash badge and star of<br />a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, the star of a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael & St. George and the star of a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">AUSTRALIA CHOOSES NOT TO FOLLOW NEW ZEALAND PRECEDENT</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">It is interesting to wonder whether, had there been more Australian knights, Mr. Abbott might have been persuaded to reach a different decision and follow the precedent set by his neighbour, Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand, who encountered little problem restoring indigenous knighthoods to New Zealand in 2009. The decision was popular and the public response was highly enthusiastic.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">New Zealand shows that </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">nations can be modern, dynamic and progressive global leaders without abandoning their traditions, honours and symbols. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM The Queen of New Zealand wearing<br />
the insignia of the Order of New Zealand,<br />
the New Zealand Order of Merit and the<br />
Queen's Service Order</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Established in 1996, the New Zealand Order of Merit original comprised five classes the two highest of which (knight/dame grand companion and knight/dame companion) conferred a knighthood or damehood. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">On 10 April 2000 it was announced that following the earlier recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Honours Advisory Committee (1995) The Queen had approved the discontinuance of the two titular classes and their replacement with two new designations: principal companion and distinguished companion. These changes were instituted by a Royal Warrant dated 18 May 2000. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">The first appointments to the re-designated levels were made in The Queen’s Birthday Honours issued on 5 June 2000. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">The five classes became: principal companion, distinguished companion, companion, officer and member.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Those who were previously invested as knights or dames of the New Zealand Order of Merit were permitted to continue to bear the honorific; t</span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12pt;">he wife of a knight, provided she used her husband’s surname, could continue to bear the courtesy title of ‘lady’ before the surname.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14ItzH4q5NG7i7pX4vrmg0fWJpMMkOzOu4cAFTgDkSNOZMeWwrGNme1cSxkyXt8XgLRvywN6n2vW9pkdzTfCqf1pjs9nPwGd9rd8Eb6ANoJAP-xy_BcxpovqY32RKFakJcFwy1UxMLGg/s1600/Sir+Paul+holmes+013a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14ItzH4q5NG7i7pX4vrmg0fWJpMMkOzOu4cAFTgDkSNOZMeWwrGNme1cSxkyXt8XgLRvywN6n2vW9pkdzTfCqf1pjs9nPwGd9rd8Eb6ANoJAP-xy_BcxpovqY32RKFakJcFwy1UxMLGg/s400/Sir+Paul+holmes+013a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">HE The Governor General of New Zealand, Lt. Gen. The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, invests Sir Paul Holmes as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit on 16 January 2013.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In March 2009 it was announced that, upon the approval of HM The Queen, the titles of knight and dame grand companion and knight and dame companion were to be reinstated. There had been considerable belief that the removal of knighthoods had diminished the value of the two highest classes of the New Zealand Order of Merit. A visible titular honour was regarded as the most appropriate means of celebrating success at the highest levels of national life. The first appointments to the reinstated levels were made in The Queen’s 2009 Birthday Honours List. </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The 85 New Zealanders who were appointed principal companions and distinguished companions between 2000 and 2008 were afforded an opportunity to be re-designated to the appropriate level of knight/dame grand companion or knight/dame companion. 72 of those eligible opted to convert to the appropriate titular honour, a clear indication of the popularity of knighthoods. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The quite remarkable fact that 85% of recipients chose to convert their non-titular honours into knighthoods/damehoods reveals precisely how valued these titles are across the vast spectrum of society -- people of all classes and political views appreciate the distinction of titular honours. </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It is highly regrettable that the current Australian Prime Minister, a traditionalist in so many other areas, has failed to appreciate the great good that the restoration of knighthoods to the Order of Australia would do for the country. </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Let us hope Mr. Abbott's mind can be changed.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166473419881115745.post-48409003433577173452013-12-21T20:36:00.000+00:002013-12-21T20:36:09.158+00:00Peter O'Toole, 14th Earl of Gurney in "The Ruling Class"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter O'Toole as "The 14th Earl of Gurney"</td></tr>
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My letter to the editor of <i>The Daily Telegraph</i>:<br />
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17 December 2013<br />
<br />
Dear Sir,<br /><br />In two of your tributes to Peter O'Toole ("Appreciation" p.7 and "Obituary" p.21, <i>Daily Telegraph</i>, 16 Dec. 2013) it is claimed that the great thespian played a "mad" or "beserk" British baronet in the cult film, <i>The Ruling Class</i>. <br /><br />O'Toole's character was, in fact, the 14th Earl of Gurney. Those familiar with the film will appreciate how much offence this twice committed error of demotion would have caused the Gurneys -- for not even two baronets can equal an earl. <br /><br />The Gurneys are not here to defend their honour, but one can well imagine the brusque letter the 14th Earl's patriotically prejudiced father would have written: "We are not British baronets, sir! We are English earls!"<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Rafe Heydel-Mankoo<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0