Queen Elizabeth II and Her governor generals – Picture by Reuters.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sovereign of 16 Commonwealth realms, along with her spouse, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, hosted a reception for the governors general wherein Queen Elizabeth II is de facto head of state. The event was hosted as part of the monarch’s official birthday celebrations.
Governors general are the Sovereign’s personal representatives in the realms wherein she is not physically present most of the time; they perform the functions and duties reserved to the monarch acting as vice-regals.
In attendance were Sir Patrick Allen (Jamaica), Dame Pearlette Louisy (St Lucia), Sir Colville Young (Belize) Sir Frederick Ballantyne (St Vincent and the Grenadines), Sir Frank Kabui (Solomon Islands), Sir Rodney Williams (Antigua and Barbuda), Sir Peter Cosgrove (Australia), Sir Elliot Belgrave (Barbados), Sir Michael Ogio (Papua New Guinea), Sir Iakoba Italeli (Tuvalu), The Rt Hon David Johnston (Canada), Sir Jeremiah Mateparae (New Zealand), Dame Cecile la Grenade (Grenada), Dame Marguerite, Lady Pindling of the Bahamas and Sir Tapley Seaton (St Kitts and Nevis).
In the Benelux countries celebrations were organised in very British fashions by Her Britannic Majesty’s ambassadors, including receptions hosted on 8 June in Brussels by Ambassador Alison Rose and on 15 June in Luxembourg City by Ambassador John Marshall who only took up office in April, a few days before the Queen’s actual birthday on 21 April.
For more information
British and Commonwealth realms’ Royal Family: https://www.royal.uk
British Embassy to Belgium (HE Ambassador Alison Rose): https://www.gov.uk/
British Embassy to Luxembourg (HE Ambassador John Marshall): https://www.gov.uk/
