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Queen offers to help security in T&T
...schoolchildren in awe at sight of Her Majesty
Anna Ramdass aramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Friday, November 27th 2009
Queen Elizabeth II has offered assistance to Trinidad and Tobago in the area of national security.
Speaking at the State dinner at President’s House, St Ann’s, last night, she praised the country for its great strides in leadership on regional security.
It was the first time she had spoken publicly since arriving in Trinidad yesterday.
She said many Caribbean jobs depended on trade between Trinidad and the United Kingdom. ’My government remains ready to assist in the security sector,’ she added.
She said Tobago held many memories for her and Prince Philip, she said.
Most children grow up reading about kings and queens in fairy tales but earlier yesterday, schoolchildren were able to see royalty in the flesh when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, landed in Trinidad and Tobago.
There was an air of excitement at the old Piarco airport terminal where children from various schools such as Arima Government Secondary, St Helena Presbyterian and St Helena Hindu waited with both T&T and English flags in hand to greet the Queen, who will officially open the Commonwealth heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this morning.
The red carpet was laid out, the national guard stood stiffly at attention, and the top officials of Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s Cabinet lined the red carpet at the airport awaiting the arrival of the Queen.
At exactly 2.44 p.m., all eyes were glued to the massive British Airways Concorde supersonic transport plane which touched down at the tarmac at the old Piarco airport.
A huge contingent of the Queen’s entourage as well as members of the British media was the first to disembark the rear exit of the aircraft.
Moments later, British High Commissioner Eric Jenkinson entered the aircraft to greet the Queen.
At exactly 3 p.m., the woman of the hour emerged and walked down the stairway followed by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
They were greeted by President George Maxwell Richards who introduced them to his wife, Dr Jean Ramjohn Richards, Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his wife, Hazel, as well as the wife of Jenkinson.
Children looked on in awe a few feet away, not knowing whether to scream out in glee or stay silent.
The Queen, dressed in a lovely, green ensemble, smiled as she briskly walked to a podium where she listened to the Defence Force play both Britain’s and this country’s national anthems.
There was a 21-gun salute and the Queen then proceeded to inspect the national guard.
She energetically walked towards the lineup of Cabinet ministers and senators and shook their hands as they were introduced by Manning.
The Silver Stars steelband provided music.
Fifteen minutes later, the Queen and Duke were driven away.
Although the Queen did not personally greet the children, they still considered themselves lucky to see her.
The Express spoke to a few of them from the Arima Government Primary School.
Shamir Pasea, ten, said, ’I’m very excited. It was amazing to see the Queen in real life for the first time ever. I will always remember this day.’
Tamia Silkes, ten, said she was anxiously awaiting the day. ’I’m very happy and excited to be here. I will never forget this,’ she said.
Mia Hull, nine, was bowled over by the Queen’s presence.
’I’m excited! I really loved how the Queen looked. She looked so pretty,’ she said.
’It was really great to see her in person. Our teachers told us a lot about the Queen yesterday,’ said Shania Francois, nine.
’I always wanted to meet the Queen, and I was very happy to just see her in real,’ said Kirsten Bleadell, nine.
Even the teachers were struck by royalty.
’It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One to never forget. We are happy to be invited,’ said Ann Nicholson, a teacher from the Arima Government Primary School.
-reporting by Kristy Ramnarine
