Advertisement
UK markets closed
  • FTSE 100

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • FTSE 250

    19,884.73
    +74.07 (+0.37%)
     
  • AIM

    743.26
    +1.15 (+0.15%)
     
  • GBP/EUR

    1.1691
    -0.0002 (-0.02%)
     
  • GBP/USD

    1.2614
    -0.0008 (-0.07%)
     
  • Bitcoin GBP

    55,602.02
    -567.77 (-1.01%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,254.35
    +5.86 (+0.11%)
     
  • DOW

    39,807.37
    +47.29 (+0.12%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    83.11
    -0.06 (-0.07%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,254.80
    +16.40 (+0.73%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,369.44
    +201.37 (+0.50%)
     
  • HANG SENG

    16,541.42
    +148.58 (+0.91%)
     
  • DAX

    18,492.49
    +15.40 (+0.08%)
     
  • CAC 40

    8,205.81
    +1.00 (+0.01%)
     

Queen hosts first diplomatic audience with foreign ambassadors via video link

Queen Elizabeth II appears on a screen by videolink from Windsor Castle (PA)
Queen Elizabeth II appears on a screen by videolink from Windsor Castle (PA)

The Queen has held her first ever digital audience greeting foreign ambassadors.

She appeared via a video link from Windsor Castle as she addressed the ambassadors in Buckingham Palace.

Following tradition three foreign ambassadors presented their credentials to the monarch.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh spent much of the second lockdown in England at their Berkshire residence and announced earlier this week they will remain at Windsor Castle for Christmas, forgoing the annual royal gathering at Sandringham.

<p>Sophie Katsarava, the Ambassador of Georgia, curtseys to the Queen</p>PA

Sophie Katsarava, the Ambassador of Georgia, curtseys to the Queen

PA

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “Diplomatic audiences are a long standing and traditional part of the monarch’s role and the hope has always been to restart them as soon as possible.

ADVERTISEMENT

“A variety of options were considered in line with current guidelines to reintroduce diplomatic audiences while retaining some of the long-established ceremonial elements, such as the use of Buckingham Palace.”

She added: “At this time, in line with medical advice, Her Majesty will conduct diplomatic audiences virtually from Windsor Castle.”

<p>Dr. Ferenc Kumin, Ambassador of Hungary, and his wife, Viktoria were also received by the Queen</p>PA

Dr. Ferenc Kumin, Ambassador of Hungary, and his wife, Viktoria were also received by the Queen

PA

The Queen held three separate diplomatic audiences with Sophie Katsarava, ambassador of Georgia, Gil da Costa, ambassador of Timor-Leste also known as East Timor, and Ferenc Kumin, ambassador of Hungary, and his wife Viktoria Kumin.

The diplomats were in the Equerry’s Room at Buckingham Palace while the Queen was sitting in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle.

Diplomatic audiences have remained almost unchanged since the Victorian era with ambassadors still collected from their embassy or residence in a State landau, a ceremonial horse-drawn carriage, and taken to Buckingham Palace to present their credentials the Queen.

Tradition was followed for Friday’s unique event with the top diplomats enjoying a horse-drawn ride thought the streets of London to the monarch’s official residence.

The Queen has held an audience via video link before speaking virtually with Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, upon his appointment in July.

The head of state’s last audience in person at Buckingham Palace was on March 18, with Commodore Stephen Moorhouse, the outgoing commanding officer of the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, and his successor Captain Angus Essenhigh.

Read More

Queen and Prince Philip to spend ‘quiet’ Christmas at Windsor

Queen and Prince Philip mark 73rd wedding anniversary with new photo

Queen hails ‘wonderful’ work of Commonwealth volunteers in video call

Queen wears mask for first time in public at remembrance service