This is a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II done by the Russian painter Sergei Pavlenko. The Queen has been painted in 130 portraits. She takes the portraits very seriously. She sat for this portrait five times. There have been a few portraits that have been done of her that have had a modern take and they were not flattering at all. Her Majesty has given her seal of approval on this painting.
06/06/04-Queen Elizabeth II was in Arromanches France today celebrating the weekend's D-Day events. She said, "I take it upon myself to express the immense debt of gratitude we owe to you all." She spoke at Juno Beach earlier Sunday, she also remembered the 14,000 Canadians who fought with the British and US servicemen.
Later during the day she joined the French President Chirac for a ceremony at the Commonwealth war cemetery in Bayeux. Bayeux was the first French town of importance to be liberated. The Queen along with President Chirac and Prime Minister Tony Blair, paid tribute to the thousands killed in the battle. The cemetary has more than 4,200 graves at the Commonwealth war cemetary and another 1,801 at the Bayeux Memorial.
The Queen said that it was sad that this would be the final parade in Normandy of the Normandy Veterans' Association. Before the end of the ceremony she made a very touching statement, "What for you is a haunting memory of danger and sacrifice one summer long ago is for your country, and for generations of your countrymen to come, one of the proudest moments in our long national history." "I salute you and thank you on behalf of our whole nation."
The Queen said that it was sad that this would be the final parade in Normandy of the Normandy Veterans' Association. Before the end of the ceremony she made a very touching statement, "What for you is a haunting memory of danger and sacrifice one summer long ago is for your country, and for generations of your countrymen to come, one of the proudest moments in our long national history." "I salute you and thank you on behalf of our whole nation."
I was reading an article at the telegraph website about D-DAY and read one of the most beautiful poems that was handed out by the French people to the Veterans that were visiting on the sixth anniversery of Normandy. I post it here with humble respect and deep gratitude for all the people who fought during World War II including my Dad and Uncles who are no longer with us.
"Dear Veteran, I'm writing to say thank you and through me there are thousands of children speaking to thousands of veterans. Like us, you were young and carefree, but, when you were only 20 years old, Liberty called - called you, to say: 'I'm dying. Come and save me!'Across Normandy, it was a day of deep emotions, with many ceremonies remembering the world's greatest seaborne invasion.
And you arose, full of courage and zeal, to answer that call. And you fought with the heart and soul of a free man so that we too might be free.
You saw your fellows fall on our beaches and in our fields and, in spite of your grief and your injuries, you stayed on and fought side by side with us.
And so, dear veteran, I wanted to tell you regarding those dear to you who sacrificed their youth and are now resting in peace, the sleep of the just, that we are the children they never had.
And to you, dear veteran, who offered your bravery and most promising years for this our land, I say to you: We are your sons, sons and daughters of liberty who want to say to you today a heartfelt thank you."
Here I have included the link to this great article.
06/06/04-It was reported in the media that The Duke of York was criticised by other veterans for not attending the D-DAY commemorations. He chose instead to host a dinner at St. Andrews for the 250th anniversary of the Royal Ancient Golf Club. The Duke is an avid Golfer. You would think that with him being a war veteran himself that he would have been there. Even The Princess Royal took time out to pay homage to the veterans today. Rather a shame that The Duke of York put Golf first. You know it reall kind of makes me mad that the Prince of Wales is always given such a rough time in the media for any little mistake that they think he might have made. At least Prince Charles makes a big effort to do his duty.
16 June, 2004
Sixteen year old Princess Beatrice with her parents The Duke and Duchess of York at a Polo Match. The second Picture is of Beatrice with her friend James Green at a Tennis match. She looks just like her mother don't you think?
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