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T&T welcomes Queen Elizabeth in style
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth inspects the guard upon her arrival at the airport in Port of Spain in advance of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Reuters photo)
The Commonwealth of Nations, often referred to as the Commonwealth and previously as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of 53 independent member states. Most of them were formerly part of the British Empire.
Every two years the leaders of Commonwealth get together in what they sometimes refer to as an informal retreat and discuss global issues that affect them and to chart a way forward.
This year the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is being held in the twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the oil rich country seems determined to ensure that the 2009 retreat is a memorable one.
Over the past two days, Heads of States have been streaming in at Piarco International Airport which is located in Northern Trinidad and are extended the fitting protocol with military escort and fitting fanfare.
The Queen of England was also extended the protocol but this time Prime Minister Patrick Manning seemingly spared no expense.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II arrived at the Piarco sometime after 14:30hrs yesterday accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and was greeted by Prime Minister Patrick Manning among scores of other high ranking dignitaries.
Her Majesty stepped off of the British Airways flight onto a flowing red carpet wearing an elegant green dress with matching hat with black gloves seemingly in support of the CHOGM’s intention to focus heavily on Climate Change.
Moving briskly along despite her fragile age, the Queen following a plethora of introductions was taken to the podium where she was treated to the traditional salute by the Guard of Honour and invited to inspect the waiting platoon whilst a military band permeated the air with the various percussion, drum and air instruments among others.
She was subsequently taken to the Trinidadian Cenotaph where she laid a wreath in commemoration of the lives lost to war in World War I whilst representing the Monarchy.
The Queen was also treated to a State Banquet in her honour.
She is expected to address today’s opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the recently completed National Arts and Performing Centre.
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