Queen Elizabeth's State Banquet Speech To King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima

Queen Elizabeth's State Banquet Speech To King Felipe and Queen Letizia

Queen Beatrix Solo in Estonia

At the invitation President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands began her state visit to Estonia today and will remain there until May 16th. The queen was not accompanied by the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands for this trip. Besides visiting the capital of Tallinn, she will travel to the island of Saaremaa and its city Kuressaare.

Tonight, she toasted the President of Estonia at the state banquet and said, “it gives me great pleasure to visit your country and to be your guest here this evening. This afternoon we were shown one of the most advanced centres of government in the world, and tonight we are gathered in the mediaeval heart of your capital, a city centre of such great historical significance that it has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This combination of old and new is typical of your country. On the one hand you cherish an ancient culture, on the other you are completely open to modernity. Respect for the past goes hand in hand with interest in the future.”

“In the course of history, there has been frequent contact between our countries and our peoples have worked together successfully. In the late Middle Ages a lively trade arose in the context of the famous Hanseatic League, which linked the Low Countries with the towns and cities around the Baltic Sea. Later, when our country had become an independent power, these ties became so important that our great seventeenth-century statesman, Johan de Witt, even spoke of the ‘mother of all trades’. Timber from this region was needed to build our houses and ships, and grain to feed our people. In the recent past these age-old contacts have been revived and our economic ties intensified. And the city links established between various places in our countries contribute to the further strengthening of contacts between our citizens.”

“Between that distant past and the present day lies a long and turbulent history that for your country was indeed not without tragedy. Foreign, and often cruel rulers oppressed your people and threatened your culture. But Estonia withstood these trials with great fortitude. Estonian culture was preserved through stories, fairy tales and songs and is still alive and well.”

Queen Beatrix’s entire speech at the state banquet in Tallinn, Estonia can be read here.

Photos: Lex van Lieshout

Queen Elizabeth II Lays Wreath at Anitkabir

Queen Elizabeth II’s last visit to Turkey was in October 1971. Returning thirty-six years later, she paid her respects to Mustafa Kemel Atatürk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic, by attending a wreath-laying ceremony at Anitkabir yesterday. After the ceremony, she wrote in the guest book the following:

“It is an honour to pay my respects to Mustafa Kemel Atatürk, a much valued friend of the United Kingdom and one of the great figures of modern history.”

Elizabeth R

The queen paid tribute to the Turkish Republic founder again in her state banquet speech as she toasted President Abdullah Gul last night in Ankara and said: "Thank you for your kind words and the generous welcome we have received today. Prince Philip and I are delighted to be back in Turkey more than 36 years after our last visit of which we have many happy memories. Here in 1971, I remarked on the tremendous achievement of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in guiding this country of rich and ancient traditions along a course towards a modern, enlightened and democratic state. One could hardly have imagined then the further strides that Turkey would take to become today's confident and dynamic democracy. In this new century, we can celebrate the links between our two countries as being stronger than ever."

"The geography of this nation has, over time, not only determined much of the history of its own people but also had a powerful impact upon the wider world. Beyond being home to some of the earliest human settlements and the classical civilisation of Ancient Troy, this country occupies a key place in both Islam and Christianity."

"At its height, the Ottoman Empire, with its capital in Istanbul, stretched from the gates of Vienna to North Africa. The strategic location of this country, straddling two continents, drew many into some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War, including those commemorated recently on the Gallipoli peninsula. From the ruins of that war, not only did Atatürk become the father of this modern nation, but he also famously declared that those who had come from overseas and lost their lives in this land had become Turkey's sons as well. Those sentiments echo to this day in a relationship which the United Kingdom greatly prizes."

"For us, Turkey is as important now as it has ever been. Within this country, the prospect of accession to the European Union has already helped to inspire changes that are improving the lives of its citizens. Abroad, Turkey is uniquely positioned as a bridge between East and West at a crucial time for the European Union and the world in general."

Besides visiting Ankara, Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh will attend events in the the cities of Bursa and Istanbul. They will stay in Turkey until May 16th.

Queen Elizabeth II's entire speech from the state banquet in Ankara, Turkey can be read here.

Photos: Press Association

Queen Beatrix Toasts the President of Brazil

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and his wife, Marisa Letícia toured the Haag, Amsterdam and Rotterdam whilst on a two-day state visit to the Netherlands this week. As part of the pomp and cermony, they were toasted at a state banquet at Noordeinde Palace by Queen Beatrix on April 10th.

Below is the entire text of Queen Beatrix’s speech at Noordeinde Palace at the state banquet in honour of the president of Brazil.

"Mr President,"

"It gives me great pleasure to receive you and Mrs Lula da Silva as my guests here this evening and to welcome you to the Netherlands. I look back with particularly warm feelings on the visit that I paid to your country five years ago, together with my son and daughter-in-law, and on the personal contacts we then had."

"That visit was my first encounter with Brazil. I was able to visit many different parts of your vast country and to familiarise myself with various sectors of society. One group that comes to mind are the descendants of the Dutch farmers who succeeded in building new lives there many years ago. They were not the first Dutch people to travel to those distant shores. Our interest in Brazil goes back to the seventeenth century. For a number of years the Netherlands in fact ruled a part of your country. This fascinating episode is well known to Brazilians and is also receiving more attention here now. Researchers from both countries are together studying the documents relating to this period that are held in Dutch archives. History thus gives the relations between our two nations a special dimension."

"Mr President,"

"Much has happened in the five years following our visit to your country. On the basis of a consistent macro-economic and monetary policy, you have initiated a large-scale programme of social reform. This programme, whose central elements are social development, education and reducing the great differences between rich and poor, is now beginning to bear fruit. It is in line with the Millennium Development Goals adopted in the year two thousand by the United Nations. In this regard, it is interesting to see how, by attaching conditions to financial support from the government, you are encouraging people to be self-motivating and to accept their own responsibility. Particular attention is paid to good nutrition for the groups that need this kind of help – in the unique Fome Zero project – and to health care, in particular the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. The success of this approach can be seen as a model for other countries. Your re-election shows that the Brazilian people have confidence in you and in this policy."

"An interesting aspect of your country is its energy policy. Brazil is a pioneer in the field of biofuels, having started production many decades ago. Consequently, large numbers of vehicles are nowadays using these fuels and even an experimental aircraft, built in your country, is powered by biofuel. However, there are also disadvantages to the use of biofuels. But there is enormous interest in our part of the world in the way in which your country is contributing to tackling the great issues of our time: the production of renewable energy, sustainable development and climate change."

"Mr President,"

"Due to its immense size, large population, economic performance and balanced diplomacy, Brazil occupies a central position in your part of the world. Your country has undertaken important initiatives and played an indispensable role in strengthening and expanding Mercosul and in establishing the Union of South American Nations: Unasul. We follow these developments with great interest, particularly since a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is closely involved with events in South America."

"Furthermore, Brazil is extremely active in the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation, where it defends the standpoint and interests of the South vis-à-vis those of the North. There are divisions between these two parts of the world which are not easy to bridge. Yet the populations of developing and developed countries also have many major interests in common. Above all, they inhabit the same planet. That is why they should join together in seeking solutions to the serious problems confronting us all."

"The European Union therefore attaches great value to cooperation with Brazil, also in the context of the strategic partnership. The summit soon to be held between the EU and Latin America in Lima will offer new opportunities for a productive dialogue and fruitful consultation."

"Mr President,"

"The ties between our two countries are closer than one would expect on the basis of their geographical location. We welcome your visit as an important contribution to strengthening those ties. Brazilian and Dutch researchers are studying our shared past, while Brazilian and Dutch politicians and entrepreneurs are working to build a shared future."

"May I invite all those present to raise their glasses with me and to drink to your health, Mr President, to that of Mrs Lula da Silva, to a bright future for your country and to the friendship between our two peoples."

Photos: Marcel Antonisse and Frank van Beek

Queen Elizabeth II Hosts the President of the French Republic

Queen Elizabeth II hosted the President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla at a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle last night. By invitation of the monarch, Sarkozy was on a two-day whirlwind visit to the United Kingdom. Amongst the day’s events preceeding the banquet, the monarch honoured President Sarkozy with the Insignia of an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

Below is the entire text of Queen Elizabeth II’s speech at the State Banquet held at Windsor Castle in honour of the President of the French Republic on March 26, 2008.

"Monsieur le President et Madame Sarkozy,"

"It is a particular pleasure to welcome you both as our guests at Windsor Castle this evening on the first day of your State Visit to the United Kingdom."

"There have of course been many State Visits between our countries over the centuries, starting with the famous encounter between Francis the First and Henry the Eighth at the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520. This respectful yet competitive relationship between our two countries has been clear to see on many occasions in the intervening years."

"Both countries are rightly proud - and sometimes perhaps even a little jealous - of our respective histories, and of our contributions to global customs, business practices and cultures: contributions which far outweigh our geographical size. And no-one will ever win an argument over the respective merits of our rich and expressive linguistic heritage."

"But we must also recall and celebrate the depth of our common interest and friendship over many years. Here in the first decade of the twenty-first century, I have a sense that our two countries are working increasingly closely together.
The Internet, the Eurostar, and even the camera phone, have helped transform the way our respective populations interact. Images are sent in the blink of an eye from the Cairngorms to the Pyrenees, the Tyne to the Rhone. Even as I speak, people are moving by metro, train, and tube direct from the Left Bank of Paris to the West End of London; the North East of England to le Sud-Ouest in France, and back again, with comfort and ease."

"With this in mind it is no great surprise that people in our two countries have increasingly come to recognise that what is different is to be celebrated, and what is similar should be embraced."

"There are more and more exchanges between the students of our schools and colleges, sowing the seeds not just of new ideas but also of new friendships and affiliations that will serve us well in the years ahead. Well over a third of a million French people now work in Britain, while increasing numbers of Britons are choosing to live in France. Not only culturally but economically we are doing so much more together, as our businesses continue to invest both-ways across the Channel. There can be no better example of this co-operation than the landing last week at Heathrow of the world's biggest passenger plane, the Airbus A380: built in France, with wings and engines made here in the UK."

"With a growing spirit of mutual understanding on so many levels, we stand ready to face the global challenges ahead, knowing that when we work together we can produce effective and enduring results. We see this in the joint commitment of France and the United Kingdom in Africa, which continues to be decisive, and we are determined to turn what were old rivalries into common efforts to reduce conflict on that continent, particularly in the area of education. We see it also on climate change, where our governments are together helping to influence and guide the international debate."

"Within Europe, though we may - just occasionally - differ, we also - far more often -agree. At the United Nations also, no two countries work more closely and effectively together in the vital area of conflict-resolution. And I would like to pay particular tribute this evening to all those French and British individuals, voluntary or professional, within and outside government, spanning all continents, who work as one towards greater levels of security, prosperity, and peace-of-mind throughout the world."

"Monsieur le President: close as neighbours; closer as partners; growing closer-still as friends, our nations have much to celebrate. I wish you and Madame Sarkozy a happy visit to this country, and I now ask everyone to raise their glasses and drink a toast to: His Excellency the President of the French Republic; Madame Sarkozy; and the people of France."

Photo: REUTERS/Matt Dunham/Pool (BRITAIN)