A RUSSIAN ARTIST IN SERBIA HAS SPENT A SMALL PERSONAL FORTUNE OVER A THOUSAND PEARLS FOR A RELIGIOUS PAINTING HE HAS MADE FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II. CLAD IN EMBROIDERED ROBES, ADAM AND EVE SIT IN THRONES ON A SUSPENDED GARDEN OF EDEN IN ANATOLY PASTYREV'S PAINTING, WHICH IS CROWNED BY A RUSSIAN ORTHODOX ICON AND PEARL-ENCRUSTED THROWOUT. 'THE BRITISH MONARCHY IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN THE BASTION OF MODERN CIVILIZATION WHICH HAS CENTURIES-OLD TRADITIONS COMING FROM CHRISTIANITY', PASTYREV TOLD REUTERS ON SUNDAY AT HIS HOME IN TAIGA FOREST ENCIRCLING KRASNOYARSK, SOME 3,300km EAST OF MOSCOW. PASTYREV NOW WANTS TO GIVE THE PAINTING, CALLED 'GLORIFICATION OF THE LORD', TO THE BRITISH MONARCH AS A TRIBUTE TO HER TITLE AS SUPREME GOVERNOR OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. THE BULLDOZER OPERATOR-TURNED-ARTIST SPENT MONTHS WORKING ON THE PAINTING, WHICH HAS 1,360 NATURAL PEARLS HE BOUGHT IN MOSCOW FOR A HANDSOME SUM OF 500,000 RUBLES (£10,947). 'THE BRITISH ROYAL COURT IS THE OLDEST, MOST POWERFUL AND MOST INFLUENTIAL', SAID PASTYREV, WHO WAS A FERVENT COMMUNIST IN SOVIET DAYS. HE IS NOW LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GIVE THE PAINTING, WHICH MEASURES ONE METER BY 1.4 METERS LONG AND IS PEARL-ENCRUSTED ALONG ITS OUTLINE, THROUGH-OUT THE GARDEN AND ON THE BUBBLE-LIKE CLOUDS, TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE. BUT PASTYREV WANTS TO WAIT WHILE THE 'HAT' SURROUNDING PRINCE WILLIAM'S MARRIAGE TO KATE MIDDLETON ON 29.APRIL DIES DOWN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO GET HIS ARTWORK TO THE BRITISH MONARCH. 'I AM THRILLED BY THIS EVENT...I HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT FOR THE YOUNG PRINCE WILLIAM', HE SAID.

RUSSIAN ARTIST CREATES PEARL-ENCRUSTED PAINTING FOR THE QUEEN

A RUSSIAN ARTIST IN SERBIA HAS SPENT A SMALL PERSONAL FORTUNE OVER A THOUSAND PEARLS FOR A RELIGIOUS PAINTING HE HAS MADE FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II. CLAD IN EMBROIDERED ROBES, ADAM AND EVE SIT IN THRONES ON A SUSPENDED GARDEN OF EDEN IN ANATOLY PASTYREV'S PAINTING, WHICH IS CROWNED BY A RUSSIAN ORTHODOX ICON AND PEARL-ENCRUSTED THROWOUT. 'THE BRITISH MONARCHY IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN THE BASTION OF MODERN CIVILIZATION WHICH HAS CENTURIES-OLD TRADITIONS COMING FROM CHRISTIANITY', PASTYREV TOLD REUTERS ON SUNDAY AT HIS HOME IN TAIGA FOREST ENCIRCLING KRASNOYARSK, SOME 3,300km EAST OF MOSCOW. PASTYREV NOW WANTS TO GIVE THE PAINTING, CALLED 'GLORIFICATION OF THE LORD', TO THE BRITISH MONARCH AS A TRIBUTE TO HER TITLE AS SUPREME GOVERNOR OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. THE BULLDOZER OPERATOR-TURNED-ARTIST SPENT MONTHS WORKING ON THE PAINTING, WHICH HAS 1,360 NATURAL PEARLS HE BOUGHT IN MOSCOW FOR A HANDSOME SUM OF 500,000 RUBLES (£10,947). 'THE BRITISH ROYAL COURT IS THE OLDEST, MOST POWERFUL AND MOST INFLUENTIAL', SAID PASTYREV, WHO WAS A FERVENT COMMUNIST IN SOVIET DAYS. HE IS NOW LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GIVE THE PAINTING, WHICH MEASURES ONE METER BY 1.4 METERS LONG AND IS PEARL-ENCRUSTED ALONG ITS OUTLINE, THROUGH-OUT THE GARDEN AND ON THE BUBBLE-LIKE CLOUDS, TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE. BUT PASTYREV WANTS TO WAIT WHILE THE 'HAT' SURROUNDING PRINCE WILLIAM'S MARRIAGE TO KATE MIDDLETON ON 29.APRIL DIES DOWN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO GET HIS ARTWORK TO THE BRITISH MONARCH. 'I AM THRILLED BY THIS EVENT...I HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT FOR THE YOUNG PRINCE WILLIAM', HE SAID.

RUSSIAN ARTIST CREATES PEARL-ENCRUSTED PAINTING FOR THE QUEEN

TO MARK THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE IN 2012, THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY WILL STAGE AN INNOVATIVE TOURING EXHIBITION BRINGING TOGETHER 60 OF THE MOST REMARKABLE AND RESONANT IMAGES OF ELIZABETH II SPANNING THE 60 YEARS OF HER REIGN, SOME ON PUBLIC DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE WILL TOUR TO BRITISH VENUES BEFORE BEING SHOWN IN LONDON, OPENING IN EDINBURGH IN JUNE, BELFAST IN OCTOBER AND CARDIFF AND LONDON IN 2012. FROM BEATON AND LEOBOVITZ TO ANNIGONI AND WARHOL, THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE WILL BE THE MOST WIDE RANGING-EXHIBITION OF IMAGES IN DIFFERENT MEDIA DEVOTED TO A SINGLE ROYAL SITTER,FORMAL PAINTED PORTRAITS OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, MEDIA PICTURES, AND POWERFUL RESPONSES BY CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS WILL BE SHOWN IN AN EXHIBITION WHICH EXPLORES TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WORKS WHICH EXTEND THE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF ROYAL PORTRAITURE. AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WORKS FROM LIFE ARE ANNIGONI'S HUGELY POPULAR LIFE-SIZE 1969 COMMISSION FOR THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LUCIAN FREUD'S 2000-01 PORTRAIT FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION AND JUSTIN MORTIMER'S PAINTING WHERE THE QUEEN'S HEAD FLOATS AWAY FROM HER BODY AGAINST A HUGE BACKGROUND OF FLAT VIBRANT YELLOW. AMONG THE EXHIBITED PHOTOGRAPHS FOR WHOM THE QUEEN SAT ARE ANNIE LEIBOVITZ, DOROTHY WILDING AND CECIL BEATON, INCLUDING HIS ICONIC WESTMINSTER ABBEY CORONATION IMAGE, AND CHRIS LEVINE'S HIGH;Y UNUSUAL PHOTOGRAPH FROM 2004 OF THE QUEEN WITH HER EYES CLOSED. COLLECTIVELY, THE EXHIBITION CELEBRATES AND EXPLORES THE STARTLING RANGE OF ARTISTIC CREATIVITY AND MEDIA-DERIVED IMAGERY THAT THE QUEEN HAS INSPIRED. IT ALSO PROBES THE RELATION OF THIS IMAGERY TO A WORLD OF CHANGING VALUES DURING A REIGN THAT HAS ENGAGED THE ATTENTION OF MILLIONS.

NATIONAL POTRAIT GALLERY TO PRESENT 'THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE'

TO MARK THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE IN 2012, THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY WILL STAGE AN INNOVATIVE TOURING EXHIBITION BRINGING TOGETHER 60 OF THE MOST REMARKABLE AND RESONANT IMAGES OF ELIZABETH II SPANNING THE 60 YEARS OF HER REIGN, SOME ON PUBLIC DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE WILL TOUR TO BRITISH VENUES BEFORE BEING SHOWN IN LONDON, OPENING IN EDINBURGH IN JUNE, BELFAST IN OCTOBER AND CARDIFF AND LONDON IN 2012. FROM BEATON AND LEOBOVITZ TO ANNIGONI AND WARHOL, THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE WILL BE THE MOST WIDE RANGING-EXHIBITION OF IMAGES IN DIFFERENT MEDIA DEVOTED TO A SINGLE ROYAL SITTER,FORMAL PAINTED PORTRAITS OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, MEDIA PICTURES, AND POWERFUL RESPONSES BY CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS WILL BE SHOWN IN AN EXHIBITION WHICH EXPLORES TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WORKS WHICH EXTEND THE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF ROYAL PORTRAITURE. AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WORKS FROM LIFE ARE ANNIGONI'S HUGELY POPULAR LIFE-SIZE 1969 COMMISSION FOR THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LUCIAN FREUD'S 2000-01 PORTRAIT FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION AND JUSTIN MORTIMER'S PAINTING WHERE THE QUEEN'S HEAD FLOATS AWAY FROM HER BODY AGAINST A HUGE BACKGROUND OF FLAT VIBRANT YELLOW. AMONG THE EXHIBITED PHOTOGRAPHS FOR WHOM THE QUEEN SAT ARE ANNIE LEIBOVITZ, DOROTHY WILDING AND CECIL BEATON, INCLUDING HIS ICONIC WESTMINSTER ABBEY CORONATION IMAGE, AND CHRIS LEVINE'S HIGH;Y UNUSUAL PHOTOGRAPH FROM 2004 OF THE QUEEN WITH HER EYES CLOSED. COLLECTIVELY, THE EXHIBITION CELEBRATES AND EXPLORES THE STARTLING RANGE OF ARTISTIC CREATIVITY AND MEDIA-DERIVED IMAGERY THAT THE QUEEN HAS INSPIRED. IT ALSO PROBES THE RELATION OF THIS IMAGERY TO A WORLD OF CHANGING VALUES DURING A REIGN THAT HAS ENGAGED THE ATTENTION OF MILLIONS.

NATIONAL POTRAIT GALLERY TO PRESENT 'THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE'

THE QUEEN ACCEPTED A HELPING HAND FROM THE EMIR OF QATAR AFTER WELCOMING HIM TO WINDSOR CASTLE AT THE START OF A THREE-DAY STATE VISIT INTENDED TO CEMENT BRITAIN'S TRADE LINKS WITH THE GULF STATE. AFTER WATCHING A MARCH PAST OF THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY AND ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY SOLDIERS, SHEIK HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI GUIDED THE QUEEN DOWN A SHORT FLIGHT OF STEPS FROM A DIAS. THE EMIR, WHO FLEW TO LONDON WITH HIS CONSORT, SHEIKA MOZAH BINT NASSER AL-MISSNED, ONE OF HIS THREE WIVES, WILL ALSO MET DAVID CAMERON IN DOWNING STREET AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S DRIVE TO STRENGTHEN TRADE WITH QATAR AND OTHER GULF EMIRATES. QATAR, A BRITISH PROTECTORATE UNTIL 1971, IA A KEY ENERGY SUPPLIER TO THE UK, AND IS EVENTUALLY EXPECTED TO PROVIDE UP TO ONE FIFTH OF THE COUNTRY'S GAS SUPPLY IN THE FORM OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS, WHICH IS SHIPPED TO A TERMINAL IN MILFORD HAVEN, PEMBROKESHIRE. IT IS ALSO A MAJOR INVESTOR IN THE UK, WITH HIGH-PROFILE ASSETS INCLUDING THE HARRODS DEPARTMENT STORE IN LONDON, WHICH THE QATARI ROYAL FAMILY BOUGHT IN MAY FOR AN ESTIMATED £1.5 BILLION. THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL HAD A PRIVATE MEETING WITH THE EMIR AND HIS CONSORT BEFORE ESCORTING THEM TO WINDSOR CASTLE.

QUEEN ACCEPS HELPING HAND FROM EMIR OF QATAR

THE QUEEN ACCEPTED A HELPING HAND FROM THE EMIR OF QATAR AFTER WELCOMING HIM TO WINDSOR CASTLE AT THE START OF A THREE-DAY STATE VISIT INTENDED TO CEMENT BRITAIN'S TRADE LINKS WITH THE GULF STATE. AFTER WATCHING A MARCH PAST OF THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY AND ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY SOLDIERS, SHEIK HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI GUIDED THE QUEEN DOWN A SHORT FLIGHT OF STEPS FROM A DIAS. THE EMIR, WHO FLEW TO LONDON WITH HIS CONSORT, SHEIKA MOZAH BINT NASSER AL-MISSNED, ONE OF HIS THREE WIVES, WILL ALSO MET DAVID CAMERON IN DOWNING STREET AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S DRIVE TO STRENGTHEN TRADE WITH QATAR AND OTHER GULF EMIRATES. QATAR, A BRITISH PROTECTORATE UNTIL 1971, IA A KEY ENERGY SUPPLIER TO THE UK, AND IS EVENTUALLY EXPECTED TO PROVIDE UP TO ONE FIFTH OF THE COUNTRY'S GAS SUPPLY IN THE FORM OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS, WHICH IS SHIPPED TO A TERMINAL IN MILFORD HAVEN, PEMBROKESHIRE. IT IS ALSO A MAJOR INVESTOR IN THE UK, WITH HIGH-PROFILE ASSETS INCLUDING THE HARRODS DEPARTMENT STORE IN LONDON, WHICH THE QATARI ROYAL FAMILY BOUGHT IN MAY FOR AN ESTIMATED £1.5 BILLION. THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL HAD A PRIVATE MEETING WITH THE EMIR AND HIS CONSORT BEFORE ESCORTING THEM TO WINDSOR CASTLE.

QUEEN ACCEPS HELPING HAND FROM EMIR OF QATAR

THE GIFT PRESENTED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN DURING HIS RECENT STATE VISIT TO EDINBURGH HAS GONE ON DISPLAY AT THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE. THE RARE MANUSCRIPT, KNOWN AS THE LORSCH GOSPELS, IS A MAGNIFICENT ILLUMINATED GOSPEL BOOK COLLECTION WRITTEN 1,200 YEARS AGO. SUMPTUOUSLY ILLUSTRATED, IT INCLUDES IMAGES MORE THAN 400 PAGES WRITTEN ENTIRELY IN GOLD INK ON VELLUM. THE FACSIMILE EDITION PRESENTED TO THE QUEEN COMBINES ALL PARTS OF THE MANUSCRIPT IN ONE VOLUME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE HUNDRED YEARS, COMPLETE WITH REPRODUCTIONS OF THE IVORY COVERS. THE MANUSCRIPT WAS WRITTEN IN THE EARLY 9th CENTURY AT THE COURT OF THE EMPEROR CHARLEMAGNE IN AACHEN, GERMANY, AND WAS FIRST RECORDED IN THE IMPERIAL ABBEY OF LORSCH AROUND 860. THE BINDING OF THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT WAS MOUNTED WITH IVORY PANELS DEPICTING THE VIRGIN AND CHILD WITH ST JOHN AND THE PROPHET ZACHARIAH, AND THE FIGURE OF CHRIST. THE MANUSCRIPT REMAINED AT LORSCH ABBEY UNTIL 1556 BUT WAS SPLIT INTO TWO BEFORE IT LEFT THE ABBEY AND AT SOME POINT THE FRONT AND BACK COVERS WERE ALSO REMOVED. THE BACK COVER IS NOW IN THE VATICAN LIBRARY AND THE FRONT COVER IS IN THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON. THE QUEEN WELCOMED HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE ON HIS FIRST PAPAL VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM LAST MONTH. THE QUEEN RECEIVED THE POPE FOR A PRIVATE AUDIENCE AND EXCHANGE OF GIFTS IN THE MORNING DRAWING ROOM. THE QUEEN PRESENTED THE POPE WITH A FACSIMILE EDITION OF DRAWINGS BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER IN THE ROYAL COLLECTION.

PAPAL GIFT TO QUEEN ELIZABETH ON DISPLAY IN HOLYROODHOUSE

THE GIFT PRESENTED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN DURING HIS RECENT STATE VISIT TO EDINBURGH HAS GONE ON DISPLAY AT THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE. THE RARE MANUSCRIPT, KNOWN AS THE LORSCH GOSPELS, IS A MAGNIFICENT ILLUMINATED GOSPEL BOOK COLLECTION WRITTEN 1,200 YEARS AGO. SUMPTUOUSLY ILLUSTRATED, IT INCLUDES IMAGES MORE THAN 400 PAGES WRITTEN ENTIRELY IN GOLD INK ON VELLUM. THE FACSIMILE EDITION PRESENTED TO THE QUEEN COMBINES ALL PARTS OF THE MANUSCRIPT IN ONE VOLUME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE HUNDRED YEARS, COMPLETE WITH REPRODUCTIONS OF THE IVORY COVERS. THE MANUSCRIPT WAS WRITTEN IN THE EARLY 9th CENTURY AT THE COURT OF THE EMPEROR CHARLEMAGNE IN AACHEN, GERMANY, AND WAS FIRST RECORDED IN THE IMPERIAL ABBEY OF LORSCH AROUND 860. THE BINDING OF THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT WAS MOUNTED WITH IVORY PANELS DEPICTING THE VIRGIN AND CHILD WITH ST JOHN AND THE PROPHET ZACHARIAH, AND THE FIGURE OF CHRIST. THE MANUSCRIPT REMAINED AT LORSCH ABBEY UNTIL 1556 BUT WAS SPLIT INTO TWO BEFORE IT LEFT THE ABBEY AND AT SOME POINT THE FRONT AND BACK COVERS WERE ALSO REMOVED. THE BACK COVER IS NOW IN THE VATICAN LIBRARY AND THE FRONT COVER IS IN THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON. THE QUEEN WELCOMED HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE ON HIS FIRST PAPAL VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM LAST MONTH. THE QUEEN RECEIVED THE POPE FOR A PRIVATE AUDIENCE AND EXCHANGE OF GIFTS IN THE MORNING DRAWING ROOM. THE QUEEN PRESENTED THE POPE WITH A FACSIMILE EDITION OF DRAWINGS BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER IN THE ROYAL COLLECTION.

PAPAL GIFT TO QUEEN ELIZABETH ON DISPLAY IN HOLYROODHOUSE

THE QUEEN HAS OFFICIALLY NAMED CUNARD'S 92,000-TON QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER IN A GLITTERING CEREMONY IN SOUTHAMPTON TODAY. THE NAMING, BEFORE HUNDREDS OF INVITED GUESTS ON THE QUAYSIDE AT THE VESSEL'S HOME PORT, FOLLOWING A TOUR OF THE SHIP BY THE QUEEN. BUILT AT THE FINCANTIERI MONFALCONE SHIPYARD NEAR TRIESTE IN ITALY, THE VESSEL FEATURES MEMORABILIA FROM CUNARD'S FIRST QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER AS WELL AS FROM THE SECOND SHIP TO BEAR THE NAME, THE QE2. ON BOARD THE NEW SHIP THE QUEEN SAW, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A PORTRAIT OF HER PAINTED BY BURNLEY-BORN ISOBEL PEACHY, WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE THE YOUNGEST WOMAN COMMISSIONED TO PAINT THE MONARCH. THE PAINTING SHOWS THE QUEEN WEARING A NECKLACE AND EARRINGS, FORMERLY BELONGING TO QUEEN VICTORIA, WHICH SHE WORE AT THE CORONATION IN 1953. CAPABLE OF CARRYING 2,068 PASSENGERS AND 996 CREW, THE NEW, 16-DECK QUEEN ELIZABETH IS 964ft LONG AND CAN TRAVEL AT A SPEED OF AROUND 27mph. FEATURES INCLUDE AN 18ft PANEL CREATED BY THE QUEEN'S NEPHEW VISCOUNT LINLEY, ART DECO INTERIORS ECHOING THE 1930s' GREAT AGE OF OCEAN LINERS, AND A SHOPPING AREA FEATURING NAMES SUCH AS FORTNUM & MASON AND HARRIS TWEED. UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPTAIN CHRIS WELLS WHO EARLIER SERVED ON THE QEII AND CUNARD'S FLAGSHIP QUEEN MARY 2 (QM2), THE NW QUEEN ELIZABETH ALSO HAS AN 832-SEAT THEATER WHERE PASSENGERS WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH WEST END-STYLE SHOWS. THE SHIP LEAVES TOMORROW ON ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE, A 13-NIGHT SAILING WHICH INCLUDES STOPS AT LISBON, TENERIFE AND MADEIRA. TICKETS FOR THE FIRST VOYAGE WENT ON SALE ON 1.APRIL.2009 AND WERE ALL SNAPPED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES. CUNARD'S FIRST QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER WAS LAUNCHED ON THE CLYDE IN SCOTLAND IN 1938 BY THE THEN QUEEN ELIZABETH, LATER THE QUEEN MOTHER, WITH THE PRESENT QUEEN, THEN 12 YEARS OLD, LOOKING ON. THE QE2 WAS LAUNCHED ON THE CLYDE BY THE QUEEN IN 1967. SHE WAS OFFICIALLY NAMED THE QM2 IN A CEREMONY AT SOUTHAMPTON IN 2004. WHILE THE FIRST QUEEN MARY SHIP, LAUNCHED BY QUEEN MARY IN 1934, LIVES ON AS A FLOATING HOTEL AND TOURIST ATTRACTION IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, THE FIRST QUEEN ELIZABETH MET AN UNHAPPY FATE. SOLD TO A BUSINESSMAN, THE VESSEL CAUGHT FIRE AND SANK IN HONG KONG HARBOR IN 1972. IN SERVICE WITH CUNARD FROM 1969, THE QE2 WAS PART OF THE COMPANY'S FLEET UNTIL BEING SOLD TO A DUBAI PROPERTY COMPANY ON 2008.

THE QUEEN NAMES CUNARD'S NEW LINER

THE QUEEN HAS OFFICIALLY NAMED CUNARD'S 92,000-TON QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER IN A GLITTERING CEREMONY IN SOUTHAMPTON TODAY. THE NAMING, BEFORE HUNDREDS OF INVITED GUESTS ON THE QUAYSIDE AT THE VESSEL'S HOME PORT, FOLLOWING A TOUR OF THE SHIP BY THE QUEEN. BUILT AT THE FINCANTIERI MONFALCONE SHIPYARD NEAR TRIESTE IN ITALY, THE VESSEL FEATURES MEMORABILIA FROM CUNARD'S FIRST QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER AS WELL AS FROM THE SECOND SHIP TO BEAR THE NAME, THE QE2. ON BOARD THE NEW SHIP THE QUEEN SAW, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A PORTRAIT OF HER PAINTED BY BURNLEY-BORN ISOBEL PEACHY, WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE THE YOUNGEST WOMAN COMMISSIONED TO PAINT THE MONARCH. THE PAINTING SHOWS THE QUEEN WEARING A NECKLACE AND EARRINGS, FORMERLY BELONGING TO QUEEN VICTORIA, WHICH SHE WORE AT THE CORONATION IN 1953. CAPABLE OF CARRYING 2,068 PASSENGERS AND 996 CREW, THE NEW, 16-DECK QUEEN ELIZABETH IS 964ft LONG AND CAN TRAVEL AT A SPEED OF AROUND 27mph. FEATURES INCLUDE AN 18ft PANEL CREATED BY THE QUEEN'S NEPHEW VISCOUNT LINLEY, ART DECO INTERIORS ECHOING THE 1930s' GREAT AGE OF OCEAN LINERS, AND A SHOPPING AREA FEATURING NAMES SUCH AS FORTNUM & MASON AND HARRIS TWEED. UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPTAIN CHRIS WELLS WHO EARLIER SERVED ON THE QEII AND CUNARD'S FLAGSHIP QUEEN MARY 2 (QM2), THE NW QUEEN ELIZABETH ALSO HAS AN 832-SEAT THEATER WHERE PASSENGERS WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH WEST END-STYLE SHOWS. THE SHIP LEAVES TOMORROW ON ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE, A 13-NIGHT SAILING WHICH INCLUDES STOPS AT LISBON, TENERIFE AND MADEIRA. TICKETS FOR THE FIRST VOYAGE WENT ON SALE ON 1.APRIL.2009 AND WERE ALL SNAPPED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES. CUNARD'S FIRST QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER WAS LAUNCHED ON THE CLYDE IN SCOTLAND IN 1938 BY THE THEN QUEEN ELIZABETH, LATER THE QUEEN MOTHER, WITH THE PRESENT QUEEN, THEN 12 YEARS OLD, LOOKING ON. THE QE2 WAS LAUNCHED ON THE CLYDE BY THE QUEEN IN 1967. SHE WAS OFFICIALLY NAMED THE QM2 IN A CEREMONY AT SOUTHAMPTON IN 2004. WHILE THE FIRST QUEEN MARY SHIP, LAUNCHED BY QUEEN MARY IN 1934, LIVES ON AS A FLOATING HOTEL AND TOURIST ATTRACTION IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, THE FIRST QUEEN ELIZABETH MET AN UNHAPPY FATE. SOLD TO A BUSINESSMAN, THE VESSEL CAUGHT FIRE AND SANK IN HONG KONG HARBOR IN 1972. IN SERVICE WITH CUNARD FROM 1969, THE QE2 WAS PART OF THE COMPANY'S FLEET UNTIL BEING SOLD TO A DUBAI PROPERTY COMPANY ON 2008.

THE QUEEN NAMES CUNARD'S NEW LINER

THE QUEEN HAS POSED FOR A NEW PORTRAIT IN THE SAME DIAMOND NECKLACE AND EARRINGS THAT SHE WORE FOR HER CORONATION. THE JEWELRY, MADE FOR QUEEN VICTORIA, APPEARS IN A STUNNING PAINTING COMMISSIONED FOR THE LAUNCH OF A CRUISE SHIP. IT WAS PAINTED BY ISOBEL PEACHY, WHO AGED 31 IS THE YOUNGEST FEMALE ARTIST FOR WHOM THE MONARCH HAS SAT. SHE WAS COMMISSIONED BY CUNARD, THE SHIPPING COMPANY, WHO WILL DISPLAY THE PORTRAIT ON THE QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER. TEH QUEEN WILL SEE THE FINISHED PORTRAIT FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN SHE NAMES THE SHIP AT A CEREMONY NEXT MONTH IN SOUTHAMPTON. TEH PICTURE, SET IN THE YELLOW DRAWING ROOM IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE, SHOWS TEH QUEEN DRESSED IN A PALE BLUE GOWN. IT IS UNDERSTOOD SHE POSED FOR THREE SITTINGS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS FOR THE PORTRAIT. PEACHY, AN AWARD-WINNING PORTRAIT ARTIST, HAD NEVER BEEN COMMISSIONED TO PAINT A ROYAL PORTRAIT BEFORE. SHE SAID: 'AT MY INTERVIEW WITH CUNARD, I ANSWERED MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW I WOULD APPROACH AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION, BUT IT WAS ONLY AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW THAT THE SUBJECT WAS REVEALED AS THE QUEEN. THIS WAS BOTH A CHOCK AND A MARVELOUS SURPRISE.' IN ORDER TO KEEP THE IDENTITY OF THE PORTRAIT SECRET WHILE IT WAS BEING COMPLETED PEACHY WAS UNABLE TO WORK IN HER USUAL SHARED STUDIO. INSTEAD SHE FINISHED THE PICTURE FROM THE ATTIC OF HER MOTHER'S HOME IN WEST LONDON. CUNARD TRADITIONALLY COMMISSIONS SCULPTURES OR PORTRAITS TO BE KEPT ON BOARD EACH SHIP NAMED BY A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. THE ARTIST OSWALD BIRLEY PAINTED THE LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER TO HANG ON THE ORIGINAL QUEEN ELIZABETH WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1940 AND LATER SOLD IN 1968. A BUST OF THE CURRENT WAS COMMISSIONED FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 (QE2) FROM OSCAR NEMON IN 1969. THE SHIP WAS SOLD IN 2008 BUT THE BUST WAS KEPT. IT WILL BE DISPLAYED ALONGSIDE THE NEW PORTRAIT ON THE NEW QUEEN ELIZABETH SHIP WHOSE MAIDEN VOYAGE WILL BE A COMMERCIAL CRUISE TO THE CANARIES. TEH PORTRAIT WILL BE DISPLAYED IN PROMINENT POSITION IN THE GRAND LOBBY OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II POSES FOR CUNARD PORTRAIT COMMISSION

THE QUEEN HAS POSED FOR A NEW PORTRAIT IN THE SAME DIAMOND NECKLACE AND EARRINGS THAT SHE WORE FOR HER CORONATION. THE JEWELRY, MADE FOR QUEEN VICTORIA, APPEARS IN A STUNNING PAINTING COMMISSIONED FOR THE LAUNCH OF A CRUISE SHIP. IT WAS PAINTED BY ISOBEL PEACHY, WHO AGED 31 IS THE YOUNGEST FEMALE ARTIST FOR WHOM THE MONARCH HAS SAT. SHE WAS COMMISSIONED BY CUNARD, THE SHIPPING COMPANY, WHO WILL DISPLAY THE PORTRAIT ON THE QUEEN ELIZABETH LINER. TEH QUEEN WILL SEE THE FINISHED PORTRAIT FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN SHE NAMES THE SHIP AT A CEREMONY NEXT MONTH IN SOUTHAMPTON. TEH PICTURE, SET IN THE YELLOW DRAWING ROOM IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE, SHOWS TEH QUEEN DRESSED IN A PALE BLUE GOWN. IT IS UNDERSTOOD SHE POSED FOR THREE SITTINGS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS FOR THE PORTRAIT. PEACHY, AN AWARD-WINNING PORTRAIT ARTIST, HAD NEVER BEEN COMMISSIONED TO PAINT A ROYAL PORTRAIT BEFORE. SHE SAID: 'AT MY INTERVIEW WITH CUNARD, I ANSWERED MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW I WOULD APPROACH AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION, BUT IT WAS ONLY AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW THAT THE SUBJECT WAS REVEALED AS THE QUEEN. THIS WAS BOTH A CHOCK AND A MARVELOUS SURPRISE.' IN ORDER TO KEEP THE IDENTITY OF THE PORTRAIT SECRET WHILE IT WAS BEING COMPLETED PEACHY WAS UNABLE TO WORK IN HER USUAL SHARED STUDIO. INSTEAD SHE FINISHED THE PICTURE FROM THE ATTIC OF HER MOTHER'S HOME IN WEST LONDON. CUNARD TRADITIONALLY COMMISSIONS SCULPTURES OR PORTRAITS TO BE KEPT ON BOARD EACH SHIP NAMED BY A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. THE ARTIST OSWALD BIRLEY PAINTED THE LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER TO HANG ON THE ORIGINAL QUEEN ELIZABETH WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1940 AND LATER SOLD IN 1968. A BUST OF THE CURRENT WAS COMMISSIONED FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 (QE2) FROM OSCAR NEMON IN 1969. THE SHIP WAS SOLD IN 2008 BUT THE BUST WAS KEPT. IT WILL BE DISPLAYED ALONGSIDE THE NEW PORTRAIT ON THE NEW QUEEN ELIZABETH SHIP WHOSE MAIDEN VOYAGE WILL BE A COMMERCIAL CRUISE TO THE CANARIES. TEH PORTRAIT WILL BE DISPLAYED IN PROMINENT POSITION IN THE GRAND LOBBY OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II POSES FOR CUNARD PORTRAIT COMMISSION

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS AT THE HEART OF BRITISH SOCIETY, THE QUEEN SAID AS SHE WELCOMED POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN. MEETING THE POPE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE, HER OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN SCOTLAND, SHE PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO WORLD DEVELOPMENT. THE QUEEN ALSO PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HELPING THE POOR, EDUCATING THE YOUNG AND BRINGING ABOUT PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. HER COMMENTS ECHOED THOSE MADE BY BARONESS WARSI, THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN, WHO SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT 'FAITH IS VERY MUCH ALIVE AND KICKING' IN BRITAIN. THE PAPAL PLANE TOUCHED DOWN AT EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON THURSDAY MORNING AND IN A BREAK WITH TRADITION THE PONTIFF WAS GREETED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. THE ENTOURAGE SWEPT ONTO THE COURTYARD OF HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE IN LIMOUSINES WHERE THE QUEEN AND THE POPE SHOOK HANDS AT THE FORMAL WELCOME. THE TWO HEADS OF STATE STOOD SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, WITH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH BEHIND THEM, ON A SMALL DIAS IN FRONT OF A GUARD OF HONOR FORMED OF MEN FROM THE QUEEN'S HISTORIC BODYGUARD FROM SCOTLAND, THE ROYAL COMPANY OR ARCHERS, WHO CARRY LONGBOWS AND WEAR BONNETS DECORATED WITH A SINGLE EAGLE FEATHER. THE PAPAL ANTHEM AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WERE PLAYED BY THE BAND OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND, BEFORE THE QUEEN INTRODUCED THE POPE TO THE LINE OF DIGNITARIES INCLUDING THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, DR ROWAN WILLIAMS; THE DEPUTY MINISTER, NICK CLEGG; AND ALEX SALMOND, THE FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND. THE QUEEN, THE POPE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXCHANGED GIFTS IN THE MORNING DRAWING ROOM. BENEDICT WAS PRESENTED WITH A FACSIMILE OF 85 DRAWINGS BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER, AND THEN GAVE THE QUEEN A COPY OF THE BOOK OF THE LORSCH GOSPELS DATING FROM 778 TO 820. SHE THANKED HIM AND DESCRIBED THE BOOK AS 'LOVELY'. HUNDREDS OF GUESTS WERE INVITED TO THE RECEPTION INCLUDING LEADERS OF MAJOR RELIGIONS AND POLITICIANS. THE QUEEN APPEARED AT A LECTERN AT THE BACK OF THE PALACE, DRESSED IN A DUCK EGG-BLUE COAT AND MATCHING HAT ALONG WITH BLACK GLOVES, AND SPOKE FOR ALMOST FIVE MINUTES. SHE BEGAN BY RECALLING THE VISIT OF THE PREVIOUS POPE, JOHN PAUL II, TO BRITAIN IN 1982 AND CHANGES IN THE WORLD SINCE THEN. 'IN THIS COUNTRY WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE HOLY SEE IN THE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND.' ADDRESSING THE POPE DIRECTLY, THE QUEEN WENT ON: 'YOUR HOLINESS, YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY REMINDS US OF OUR COMMON CHRISTIAN HERITAGE AND OF THE CHRISTIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF WORLD PEACE, AND TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESS PROSPEROUS COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.' THE QUEEN QUOTED THE POPE'S COMMENT THAT RELIGIONS SHOULD NEVER BECOME 'VEHICLES OF HATRED' AND CONCLUDED: 'TODAY, IN THIS COUNTRY, WE STAND UNITED IN THAT CONVICTION. WE HOLD THAT FREEDOM TO WORSHIP IS AT THE CORE OF OUR TOLERANT AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED KINGDOMS, I WISH YOU A MOST FRUITFUL AND MEMORABLE VISIT.'

QUEEN ELIZABETH II WELCOMES POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS AT THE HEART OF BRITISH SOCIETY, THE QUEEN SAID AS SHE WELCOMED POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN. MEETING THE POPE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE, HER OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN SCOTLAND, SHE PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO WORLD DEVELOPMENT. THE QUEEN ALSO PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HELPING THE POOR, EDUCATING THE YOUNG AND BRINGING ABOUT PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. HER COMMENTS ECHOED THOSE MADE BY BARONESS WARSI, THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN, WHO SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT 'FAITH IS VERY MUCH ALIVE AND KICKING' IN BRITAIN. THE PAPAL PLANE TOUCHED DOWN AT EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON THURSDAY MORNING AND IN A BREAK WITH TRADITION THE PONTIFF WAS GREETED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. THE ENTOURAGE SWEPT ONTO THE COURTYARD OF HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE IN LIMOUSINES WHERE THE QUEEN AND THE POPE SHOOK HANDS AT THE FORMAL WELCOME. THE TWO HEADS OF STATE STOOD SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, WITH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH BEHIND THEM, ON A SMALL DIAS IN FRONT OF A GUARD OF HONOR FORMED OF MEN FROM THE QUEEN'S HISTORIC BODYGUARD FROM SCOTLAND, THE ROYAL COMPANY OR ARCHERS, WHO CARRY LONGBOWS AND WEAR BONNETS DECORATED WITH A SINGLE EAGLE FEATHER. THE PAPAL ANTHEM AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WERE PLAYED BY THE BAND OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND, BEFORE THE QUEEN INTRODUCED THE POPE TO THE LINE OF DIGNITARIES INCLUDING THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, DR ROWAN WILLIAMS; THE DEPUTY MINISTER, NICK CLEGG; AND ALEX SALMOND, THE FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND. THE QUEEN, THE POPE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXCHANGED GIFTS IN THE MORNING DRAWING ROOM. BENEDICT WAS PRESENTED WITH A FACSIMILE OF 85 DRAWINGS BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER, AND THEN GAVE THE QUEEN A COPY OF THE BOOK OF THE LORSCH GOSPELS DATING FROM 778 TO 820. SHE THANKED HIM AND DESCRIBED THE BOOK AS 'LOVELY'. HUNDREDS OF GUESTS WERE INVITED TO THE RECEPTION INCLUDING LEADERS OF MAJOR RELIGIONS AND POLITICIANS. THE QUEEN APPEARED AT A LECTERN AT THE BACK OF THE PALACE, DRESSED IN A DUCK EGG-BLUE COAT AND MATCHING HAT ALONG WITH BLACK GLOVES, AND SPOKE FOR ALMOST FIVE MINUTES. SHE BEGAN BY RECALLING THE VISIT OF THE PREVIOUS POPE, JOHN PAUL II, TO BRITAIN IN 1982 AND CHANGES IN THE WORLD SINCE THEN. 'IN THIS COUNTRY WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE HOLY SEE IN THE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND.' ADDRESSING THE POPE DIRECTLY, THE QUEEN WENT ON: 'YOUR HOLINESS, YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY REMINDS US OF OUR COMMON CHRISTIAN HERITAGE AND OF THE CHRISTIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF WORLD PEACE, AND TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESS PROSPEROUS COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.' THE QUEEN QUOTED THE POPE'S COMMENT THAT RELIGIONS SHOULD NEVER BECOME 'VEHICLES OF HATRED' AND CONCLUDED: 'TODAY, IN THIS COUNTRY, WE STAND UNITED IN THAT CONVICTION. WE HOLD THAT FREEDOM TO WORSHIP IS AT THE CORE OF OUR TOLERANT AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED KINGDOMS, I WISH YOU A MOST FRUITFUL AND MEMORABLE VISIT.'

QUEEN ELIZABETH II WELCOMES POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN

THE QUEEN ENJOYED A TASTE OF WEST END MUSICALS IN THE HIGHLANDS RECENTLY AS SHE VISITED GORDONSTOUN, THE SCHOOL WHERE HER HUSBAND AND SONS WERE EDUCATED. SHE WAS AT THE SCHOOL AT MORAY TO OPEN A NEW SPORTS CENTER. THE QUEEN WAS ORIGINALLY MEANT TO OPEN THE HALL LAST SEPTEMBER BUT THE VISIT HAD TO BE POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE SWINE FLU OUTBREAK AT THE SCHOOL. PUPILS PERFORMED EXCERPTS FROM THE MUSICAL LES MISERABLES IN THE OGSTOUN THEATER. SHE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH ARRIVED IN A HELICOPTER AT 11.a. THE COUPLE WATCHED HOCKEY DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE BEFORE MAKING THEIR WAY IN TO THE SPORTS HALL, WITH PUPILS LINING THE ROUTE. AFTER A SPEECH FROM BRYAN WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, THE QUEEN UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE HALL. IONA MCVEAN AND CONNOR COLLINS THE YOUNGEST BOY AND GIRL FROM ABERLOUR HOUSE, THE PREP SCHOOL FOR GORDONSTOUN, EACH GAVE HER A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE THE QUEEN CHATTED WITH THE SOLOISTS. ONE OF THEM, LAURA BARNES, SAID IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO SING FOR THE QUEEN, AND SPEAK WITH TO HER AFTERWARD. DURING HER VISIT, THE QUEEN ALSO SPOKE TO PUPILS IN THE SECOND FIRE AND COASTGUARD SERVICES, AND MET SCHOOL DIGNITARIES AS WELL AS RETIRED HEAD OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION GEORGE WELSH, AFTER WHOM THE NEW SPORTS HALL HAS BEEN NAMED. GORDONSTOUN, NEAR ELGIN, HAS EDUCATED SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF BRITISH ROYALTY. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND HIS SONS, THE PRINCE OF WALES, THE DUKE OF YORK AND THE EARL OF WESSEX, ALL ATTENDED THE SCHOOL, WHERE FEES RANGE FROM AROUND £19,000 FOR DAY PUPILS UP TO £29,000 A YEAR FOR BOARDERS.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS GORDONSTOUN

THE QUEEN ENJOYED A TASTE OF WEST END MUSICALS IN THE HIGHLANDS RECENTLY AS SHE VISITED GORDONSTOUN, THE SCHOOL WHERE HER HUSBAND AND SONS WERE EDUCATED. SHE WAS AT THE SCHOOL AT MORAY TO OPEN A NEW SPORTS CENTER. THE QUEEN WAS ORIGINALLY MEANT TO OPEN THE HALL LAST SEPTEMBER BUT THE VISIT HAD TO BE POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE SWINE FLU OUTBREAK AT THE SCHOOL. PUPILS PERFORMED EXCERPTS FROM THE MUSICAL LES MISERABLES IN THE OGSTOUN THEATER. SHE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH ARRIVED IN A HELICOPTER AT 11.a. THE COUPLE WATCHED HOCKEY DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE BEFORE MAKING THEIR WAY IN TO THE SPORTS HALL, WITH PUPILS LINING THE ROUTE. AFTER A SPEECH FROM BRYAN WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, THE QUEEN UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE HALL. IONA MCVEAN AND CONNOR COLLINS THE YOUNGEST BOY AND GIRL FROM ABERLOUR HOUSE, THE PREP SCHOOL FOR GORDONSTOUN, EACH GAVE HER A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE THE QUEEN CHATTED WITH THE SOLOISTS. ONE OF THEM, LAURA BARNES, SAID IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO SING FOR THE QUEEN, AND SPEAK WITH TO HER AFTERWARD. DURING HER VISIT, THE QUEEN ALSO SPOKE TO PUPILS IN THE SECOND FIRE AND COASTGUARD SERVICES, AND MET SCHOOL DIGNITARIES AS WELL AS RETIRED HEAD OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION GEORGE WELSH, AFTER WHOM THE NEW SPORTS HALL HAS BEEN NAMED. GORDONSTOUN, NEAR ELGIN, HAS EDUCATED SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF BRITISH ROYALTY. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND HIS SONS, THE PRINCE OF WALES, THE DUKE OF YORK AND THE EARL OF WESSEX, ALL ATTENDED THE SCHOOL, WHERE FEES RANGE FROM AROUND £19,000 FOR DAY PUPILS UP TO £29,000 A YEAR FOR BOARDERS.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS GORDONSTOUN

THE ANNUAL STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT BY THE QUEEN IS TO BE MOVED FROM ITS TRADITIONAL AUTUMN DATE TO THE SPRING, AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S SHIFT TO FIVE-YEAR FIXED-TERM PARLIAMENTS, IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED. UNDER THE PROPOSALS, BEING DEBATED IN THE COMMONS RECENTLY, EACH FIVE-YEAR PARLIAMENT WILL BE MADE UP OF FIVE 12-MONTH SESSIONS STRETCHING FROM SPRING TO SPRING, WITH A STATE OPENING TO MARK THE NEW SESSION AROUND EASTER. ANNOUNCING THE PROPOSED CHANGES, LEADER OF THE COMMONS SIR GEORGE YOUNG REVEALED THAT THE NEXT QUEEN'S SPEECH WILL TAKE PLACE AROUND EASTER 2012, ALMOST TWO YEARS AFTER THE CEREMONY WHICH OPENED THE CURRENT PARLIAMENT ON 25.MAY. OFFICIALS SAID IT HAD BEEN DECIDED, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE, TO DELAY THE NEXT QUEEN'S SPEECH FROM ITS EXPECTED DATE IN AUTUMN 2011, TO 'ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION' TO THE NEW SYSTEM. THE SPEECH, DRAWN UP BY MINISTERS BUT DELIVERED BY THE QUEEN, SETS OUT THE GOVERNMENT'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE COMING PERIOD. BUT INSIDERS SAID SUCH A LARGE PROGRAM OF WORK WAS SET OUT IN MAY THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF PARLIAMENT RUNNING OUT OF THINGS TO DO IN THE TWO-YEAR GAP BEFORE THE NEXT ONE. TRADITIONALLY, THE 12-MONTH PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS RAN FROM NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER, WITH STATE OPENING HELD IN THOSE MONTH, EXCEPT IN GENERAL ELECTION YEARS, WHEN THE CEREMONY WAS HELD SHORTLY AFTER THE POLL. THE LAVISH CEREMONY, A HIGHPOINT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY YEAR, DATES FROM THE OPENINGS OF THE REBUILT PALACE OF WESTMINSTER IN 1852. IN 1974 THERE WERE TWO STATE OPENINGS BECAUSE OF THE TWO GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT YEAR. THE CHANGE TO FIVE-SESSION PARLIAMENTS IS NOT EXPECTED TO RESULT IN ANY REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF DAYS ON WHICH THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SITS.

QUEEN'S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT TO BE MOVED TO SPRING

THE ANNUAL STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT BY THE QUEEN IS TO BE MOVED FROM ITS TRADITIONAL AUTUMN DATE TO THE SPRING, AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S SHIFT TO FIVE-YEAR FIXED-TERM PARLIAMENTS, IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED. UNDER THE PROPOSALS, BEING DEBATED IN THE COMMONS RECENTLY, EACH FIVE-YEAR PARLIAMENT WILL BE MADE UP OF FIVE 12-MONTH SESSIONS STRETCHING FROM SPRING TO SPRING, WITH A STATE OPENING TO MARK THE NEW SESSION AROUND EASTER. ANNOUNCING THE PROPOSED CHANGES, LEADER OF THE COMMONS SIR GEORGE YOUNG REVEALED THAT THE NEXT QUEEN'S SPEECH WILL TAKE PLACE AROUND EASTER 2012, ALMOST TWO YEARS AFTER THE CEREMONY WHICH OPENED THE CURRENT PARLIAMENT ON 25.MAY. OFFICIALS SAID IT HAD BEEN DECIDED, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE, TO DELAY THE NEXT QUEEN'S SPEECH FROM ITS EXPECTED DATE IN AUTUMN 2011, TO 'ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION' TO THE NEW SYSTEM. THE SPEECH, DRAWN UP BY MINISTERS BUT DELIVERED BY THE QUEEN, SETS OUT THE GOVERNMENT'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE COMING PERIOD. BUT INSIDERS SAID SUCH A LARGE PROGRAM OF WORK WAS SET OUT IN MAY THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF PARLIAMENT RUNNING OUT OF THINGS TO DO IN THE TWO-YEAR GAP BEFORE THE NEXT ONE. TRADITIONALLY, THE 12-MONTH PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS RAN FROM NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER, WITH STATE OPENING HELD IN THOSE MONTH, EXCEPT IN GENERAL ELECTION YEARS, WHEN THE CEREMONY WAS HELD SHORTLY AFTER THE POLL. THE LAVISH CEREMONY, A HIGHPOINT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY YEAR, DATES FROM THE OPENINGS OF THE REBUILT PALACE OF WESTMINSTER IN 1852. IN 1974 THERE WERE TWO STATE OPENINGS BECAUSE OF THE TWO GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT YEAR. THE CHANGE TO FIVE-SESSION PARLIAMENTS IS NOT EXPECTED TO RESULT IN ANY REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF DAYS ON WHICH THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SITS.

QUEEN'S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT TO BE MOVED TO SPRING