LONDON - Queen Elizabeth II attended a Commonwealth lunch in London on Wednesday following her grand four-day diamond jubilee celebration, without her husband, whose condition was improving in hospital.
The head of the Commonwealth attended the lunch with heads of state and government as well as representatives from across the 54-country association, while Prince Philip, who turns 91 on Sunday, was recovering from a bladder infection.
Britain’s longest-serving consort, who has been constantly at the queen’s side throughout her 60-year reign - was taken to hospital on Monday and missed the tail end of the celebrations. Prince Philip is recuperating at the King Edward VII Hospital in London and Buckingham Palace said his health was much better. “The Duke of Edinburgh’s condition has improved considerably since coming into hospital,” said a brief statement Wednesday. “The treatment of his infection continues with antibiotics. He is likely to remain in hospital over the next few days. He is in good spirits.” The luncheon at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth’s headquarters, was hosted by the organisation’s Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, who greeted the queen on her arrival.
The 86-year-old monarch wore a blue coat with a blue and grey dress and a matching hat for the occasion. More than 70 guests attended, including Prime Ministers David Cameron of Britain, Stephen Harper of Canada and New Zealand’s John Key. The presidents of Malawi, the Maldives, Namibia and Zambia, Australia’s governor-general and the prime ministers of Malta and St Kitts and Nevis were also present.
More than a hundred Tamil and human rights demonstrators gathered outside to protest against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse’s presence. Their chants echoed around the forecourt as guests arrived and his vehicle was jeered as it swept in.
Queen Elizabeth spent a brief moment with Rajapakse as she met guests at a reception before the lunch. The attendees were seated around 11 tables named after flowers, with Queen Elizabeth’s called Golden Wattle. Sharma told guests it was a “very special day in the history of the Commonwealth”. The dignitaries were served a Brie and avocado terrine followed by wild sea bass, then an apple crumble souffle, apple pie ice cream and caramelised apple. The meal was washed down with South African wines. Afterwards, the guests mingled outside before standing for group photographs. The queen was presented with a circular commemorative bronze plaque to mark her diamond jubilee. The monarch on Tuesday brought the official public celebrations to a close when she waved to cheering wellwishers from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The palace said police had told them that around 1.5 million people had turned out. Queen Elizabeth said in a message televised afterwards that the jubilee had been a “humbling experience”.
Prince Philip’s health scare comes after he suffered chest pains in December and was treated for a blocked coronary artery.
He appeared in good form Sunday as he travelled on the royal barge in chilly conditions during a 1,000-boat river pageant, the centrepiece of the jubilee, but doctors said attending the lengthy event could have worsened his infection.
Meanwhile Pope Benedict XVI has sent diamond jubilee congratulations, the Vatican said Wednesday.
The letter from the head of the Catholic Church to the supreme governor of the Church of England was read out at an Anglican church in Rome.
“During the past 60 years you have offered to your subjects and to the whole world an inspiring example of dedication to duty and a commitment to maintaining the principles of freedom, justice and democracy,” he wrote.
“Your personal commitment to cooperation and mutual respect between the followers of different religious traditions has contributed in no small measure to improving ecumenical and inter-religious relations throughout your realms.”