The day after ushering in David Cameron as the 12th Prime Minister of her reign, the Queen showed her sense of humour today whilst attending a function with the Lord Mayor of London's exquisitely dressed bodyguards.
In a ceremony which could not be more British, the Queen sat to pose for a photo with the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, who dazzled in their bright red uniforms from the period of King Charles I (1625-1649).
When Major Paul Champness tried to take his seat next to her, his metal thigh protectors - known as tassetts - brushed against her.
The Major had to wriggle to squeeze his frame into the gap between the Queen and her husband. Far from being annoyed, Her Majesty took delight in witnessing the Major's predicament and let out a burst of laughter.
The Pikemen, despite their uniform, were formed only in 1925, but are now renowned for contributing to the dazzling pageantry for which Britain is famed.
Their principal duty is to act as escort to the Lord Mayor of London (not to be confused with the Mayor of London, who is Boris Johnson) at the Lord Mayor’s Show and at State and other civic functions.
The current Lord Mayor of London is Alderman Nick Anstee. The position was formed in 1189.
Queen reduced to giggles by '17th century' military officer
The Queen was reduced to a fit of giggles when a ''17th century'' military officer clad in armour had a little trouble sitting down next to her.
12 May 2010
The Telegraph
Major Paul Champness finally manages to seat himself, much to the amusement of the Queen Photo: GEOFF PUGH
The monarch saw the funny side of things today as she took her place amongst a group of historically attired servicemen, who act as the Lord Mayor of London's bodyguards, for a group photograph.
When Major Paul Champness, Captain of the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, tried to take his seat next to the Queen, his metal thigh protectors - known as tassetts - brushed against her.
Wearing a breast plate and helmet he squeezed himself between the head of state and the Duke of Edinburgh and wriggled to create some space which left the Queen laughing at their predicament.
It was the second day running a group picture of the monarch with a military unit had suffered a slight mishap.
On Tuesday the Queen sat down in the wrong seat in front of the massed ranks of the 1st Battalion, the Grenadier Guards moments before a photographer pressed the shutter.
The Company of Pikemen and Musketeers was established in 1925 and received a Royal Warrant 30 years later in 1955.
It is made up of military veterans who have served with the Honourable Artillery Company, a Territorial Army unit, that has the Queen as its Captain-General.
The pikemen and musketeers wear the uniform of the period of Charles I and can be seen at state and civic occasions.
The Queen visited the military veterans at the their home in Armoury House near London's Barbican to review their unit and take the royal salute.
The Queen was reduced to a fit of giggles today when a "17th century" military officer clad in armour had a little trouble sitting down next to her. The monarch saw the funny side of things as she took her place amongst a group of historically attired servicemen, who act as the Lord Mayor of London's bodyguards, for a group photograph. When Major Paul Champness, Captain of the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, tried to take his seat next to the Queen, his metal thigh protectors - known as tassetts - brushed against her
Wearing a breast plate and helmet he squeezed himself between the head of state and the Duke of Edinburgh and wriggled to create some space which left the Queen laughing at their predicament
It was the second day running a group picture of the monarch with a military unit had suffered a slight mishap. Yesterday the Queen sat down in the wrong seat in front of the massed ranks of the 1st Battalion, the Grenadier Guards moments before a photographer pressed the shutter
The Company of Pikemen and Musketeers was established in 1925 and received a Royal Warrant 30 years later in 1955
It is made up of military veterans who have served with the Honourable Artillery Company, a Territorial Army unit, that has the Queen as its Captain-General
The pikemen and musketeers wear the uniform of the period of Charles I and can be seen at state and civic occasions
The Queen visited the military veterans at the their home in Armoury House near London's Barbican to review their unit and take the royal salute
When the Queen arrived the pikemen, with their 12ft long spears, and their fellow musketeers, holding their ancient-looking rifles, were lined up in two ranks before her, heads bowed
Escorted by Major Champness, the monarch inspected the soldiers, many in their 60s and 70s, who stood to attention in the grounds of Armoury House.
The pikemen wore helmets and red tunics covered by breast plates while the musketeers in their wide-brimmed hats were without armour.
Both uniforms are exact replicas of those worn by soldiers from the 1620s and their drill patterns are the same ones used by their 17th century predecessors
After a royal salute the musketeers fired their weapons and the sound of the blank cartridges echoed through the open air
Picture: GEOFF PUGH
Her Majesty the Queen presenting the Queen's prize to Colour Sergeant Harry Voyantzis
Picture: GEOFF PUGH
Prince Michael of Kent salutes before the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II
dailymail.co.uk
In a ceremony which could not be more British, the Queen sat to pose for a photo with the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, who dazzled in their bright red uniforms from the period of King Charles I (1625-1649).
When Major Paul Champness tried to take his seat next to her, his metal thigh protectors - known as tassetts - brushed against her.
The Major had to wriggle to squeeze his frame into the gap between the Queen and her husband. Far from being annoyed, Her Majesty took delight in witnessing the Major's predicament and let out a burst of laughter.
The Pikemen, despite their uniform, were formed only in 1925, but are now renowned for contributing to the dazzling pageantry for which Britain is famed.
Their principal duty is to act as escort to the Lord Mayor of London (not to be confused with the Mayor of London, who is Boris Johnson) at the Lord Mayor’s Show and at State and other civic functions.
The current Lord Mayor of London is Alderman Nick Anstee. The position was formed in 1189.
Queen reduced to giggles by '17th century' military officer
The Queen was reduced to a fit of giggles when a ''17th century'' military officer clad in armour had a little trouble sitting down next to her.
12 May 2010
The Telegraph
Major Paul Champness finally manages to seat himself, much to the amusement of the Queen Photo: GEOFF PUGH
The monarch saw the funny side of things today as she took her place amongst a group of historically attired servicemen, who act as the Lord Mayor of London's bodyguards, for a group photograph.
When Major Paul Champness, Captain of the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, tried to take his seat next to the Queen, his metal thigh protectors - known as tassetts - brushed against her.
Wearing a breast plate and helmet he squeezed himself between the head of state and the Duke of Edinburgh and wriggled to create some space which left the Queen laughing at their predicament.
It was the second day running a group picture of the monarch with a military unit had suffered a slight mishap.
On Tuesday the Queen sat down in the wrong seat in front of the massed ranks of the 1st Battalion, the Grenadier Guards moments before a photographer pressed the shutter.
The Company of Pikemen and Musketeers was established in 1925 and received a Royal Warrant 30 years later in 1955.
It is made up of military veterans who have served with the Honourable Artillery Company, a Territorial Army unit, that has the Queen as its Captain-General.
The pikemen and musketeers wear the uniform of the period of Charles I and can be seen at state and civic occasions.
The Queen visited the military veterans at the their home in Armoury House near London's Barbican to review their unit and take the royal salute.
The Queen was reduced to a fit of giggles today when a "17th century" military officer clad in armour had a little trouble sitting down next to her. The monarch saw the funny side of things as she took her place amongst a group of historically attired servicemen, who act as the Lord Mayor of London's bodyguards, for a group photograph. When Major Paul Champness, Captain of the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, tried to take his seat next to the Queen, his metal thigh protectors - known as tassetts - brushed against her
Wearing a breast plate and helmet he squeezed himself between the head of state and the Duke of Edinburgh and wriggled to create some space which left the Queen laughing at their predicament
It was the second day running a group picture of the monarch with a military unit had suffered a slight mishap. Yesterday the Queen sat down in the wrong seat in front of the massed ranks of the 1st Battalion, the Grenadier Guards moments before a photographer pressed the shutter
The Company of Pikemen and Musketeers was established in 1925 and received a Royal Warrant 30 years later in 1955
It is made up of military veterans who have served with the Honourable Artillery Company, a Territorial Army unit, that has the Queen as its Captain-General
The pikemen and musketeers wear the uniform of the period of Charles I and can be seen at state and civic occasions
The Queen visited the military veterans at the their home in Armoury House near London's Barbican to review their unit and take the royal salute
When the Queen arrived the pikemen, with their 12ft long spears, and their fellow musketeers, holding their ancient-looking rifles, were lined up in two ranks before her, heads bowed
Escorted by Major Champness, the monarch inspected the soldiers, many in their 60s and 70s, who stood to attention in the grounds of Armoury House.
The pikemen wore helmets and red tunics covered by breast plates while the musketeers in their wide-brimmed hats were without armour.
Both uniforms are exact replicas of those worn by soldiers from the 1620s and their drill patterns are the same ones used by their 17th century predecessors
Picture: GEOFF PUGH
Her Majesty the Queen presenting the Queen's prize to Colour Sergeant Harry Voyantzis
Picture: GEOFF PUGH
Prince Michael of Kent salutes before the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II
dailymail.co.uk
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