America welcomes the Queen
The world's most powerful Head of State arrives in the US for her first visit since 1991 - and the Americans cannot even lay the red carpet properly
Visit ... The Queen is welcomed by America and, right, meets chiefs
Pictures: ARTHUR EDWARDS
From PAUL THOMPSON
in Virginia
May 04, 2007
THE Queen jetted in for her first state visit to America for 16 years last night.
Richmond in Virginia was gripped by Royal-mania — with thousands lining the streets as Her Majesty was whisked by motorcade to the town’s square.
The excited crowds — including state workers who were given the day off especially — were told through a PA system: “The Queen has landed.”
Her mag-jesty ... Queen Elizabeth II on the cover of Vanity Fair and,
inset, at Heathrow Airport at the start of her journey to the US
And at the start of her six-day tour, she immediately paid tribute to the 32 people massacred in last month’s Virginia Tech college shooting.
The university’s cadet force braved the rains to form a guard of honour at Virginia Assembly.
The Queen said: “My heart goes out to the students, friends and families of all those killed and to the many others who have been affected.
“On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I extend my deepest sympathies.”
The Queen, 81, who is accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, was then meeting privately with between ten and 25 survivors and bereaved families.
Her Majesty also met a group of native American indian chiefs.
In her seven-minute speech, she also praised the “special relationship” between the UK and US.
The massive interest in her visit has been heightened by Helen Mirren’s Oscar-winning performance in the movie The Queen, which grossed more than £50million in the US.
And Her Majesty is making a regal appearance — on the front cover of US magazine Vanity Fair to mark her visit.
She posed at Buckingham Palace for Annie Liebovitz, America’s best-known celebrity photographer.
Mix-up ... red carpet problems
GUARDS lay out the red carpet for the Queen and, to their horror, discover it’s 15ft too short.
It got worse for officials when the steps to the plane were also too small.
The mix-up meant Her Majesty was stranded in the jet for 30 minutes.
Prince Philip peered bemusedly from the front of the jet to see the hold-up before the problems were sorted.
thesun.co.uk
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How long before some dumb American says to the Queen: "Did you get an Oscar for your performance in The Queen?"
The world's most powerful Head of State arrives in the US for her first visit since 1991 - and the Americans cannot even lay the red carpet properly
Visit ... The Queen is welcomed by America and, right, meets chiefs
Pictures: ARTHUR EDWARDS
in Virginia
May 04, 2007
THE Queen jetted in for her first state visit to America for 16 years last night.
Richmond in Virginia was gripped by Royal-mania — with thousands lining the streets as Her Majesty was whisked by motorcade to the town’s square.
The excited crowds — including state workers who were given the day off especially — were told through a PA system: “The Queen has landed.”
Her mag-jesty ... Queen Elizabeth II on the cover of Vanity Fair and,
inset, at Heathrow Airport at the start of her journey to the US
And at the start of her six-day tour, she immediately paid tribute to the 32 people massacred in last month’s Virginia Tech college shooting.
The university’s cadet force braved the rains to form a guard of honour at Virginia Assembly.
The Queen said: “My heart goes out to the students, friends and families of all those killed and to the many others who have been affected.
“On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I extend my deepest sympathies.”
The Queen, 81, who is accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, was then meeting privately with between ten and 25 survivors and bereaved families.
Her Majesty also met a group of native American indian chiefs.
In her seven-minute speech, she also praised the “special relationship” between the UK and US.
The massive interest in her visit has been heightened by Helen Mirren’s Oscar-winning performance in the movie The Queen, which grossed more than £50million in the US.
And Her Majesty is making a regal appearance — on the front cover of US magazine Vanity Fair to mark her visit.
She posed at Buckingham Palace for Annie Liebovitz, America’s best-known celebrity photographer.
Red carpet and faces
Mix-up ... red carpet problems
GUARDS lay out the red carpet for the Queen and, to their horror, discover it’s 15ft too short.
It got worse for officials when the steps to the plane were also too small.
The mix-up meant Her Majesty was stranded in the jet for 30 minutes.
Prince Philip peered bemusedly from the front of the jet to see the hold-up before the problems were sorted.
thesun.co.uk
----------------------
How long before some dumb American says to the Queen: "Did you get an Oscar for your performance in The Queen?"
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