May 3, 2007

Royal visit to Richmond: The Queen

Yes, she's royal and famous, and she's been around longer than dirt. But the world in Richmond stood still between 3:00 PM and six o'clock today. Local public radio cut away from an NPR broadcast in order to cover the Queen's speech, which had something to do with the 400 year anniversary of Jamestown.

A lottery determined who would sit in a special gallery of lucky winners, and people from around the state arrived early to stand hours in line to get a glimpse of her. A friend of mine was invited to meet her in the governor's mansion and hoped to "chat" with Prince Phillip. I'll find out soon if he did.

The poor woman and her "roving eye" husband landed at our airport at 3 PM, was immediately led to our newly renovated state capitol to greet dignitaries and some victims who survived the Virginia Tech massacre, and scheduled to make a speech in front of the General Assembly before being whisked off to Williamsburg by six.

Whew. She's sure earning her salary on this trip! At eighty, she might not be back again. This is only her 5th visit to the U.S. in 50 years. Perhaps we should invite Helen Mirren for the 410th anniversary of Jamestown if the queen does not survive another decade. Think anyone will notice the difference?

And where were her corgies, for chrissakes? They were the REAL attraction.

"I am not amused." Queen Lillibet

4 comments:

jinxy said...

You didn't miss much I promise. I endured several Royal visits while in Ireland.

It used to bemuse me how the whole world stopped when something happened with the Royals. When Margaret died the whole country came to a stop, and in Ireland I found it surprising because Ireland doesn't have a Royal family. But everything shut down for her funeral.

Luxembourg is where the European Parliament was located so we went through several "dignitary visits" there. What was funny was that the Royals from Luxembourg were so laid back. It was not uncommon to see the Grand Duke out playing golf, or at one of many of the city's restaurants.

Vic said...

Same with the Dutch royal family, Jinxy. Good observation.

Linda Merrill said...

I think Elizabeth actually comes annually to the states to Kentucky for the horses. I think she usually travels on the down low, not a big state type visit such as this.

Vic said...

This is why I love comment, because I learn from others. It would make sense that someone who loves horses as much as EII, would come to Kentucky privately to view them.