Q: Jayne Fowler - UK
How old is the Royal Train? Does the Royal Family plan on using it in the future?
The coaches of today's Royal Train were brought into use at various dates between 1976 and 1990. There are nine coaches, five to eight of which are used at any one time. Two are service coaches for railway support staff and the train's power supply.. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales each have personal coaches.
There are two dedicated locomotives, based in Crewe, but kept in the Royal livery and used to pull other trains to keep them in good working condition. They are called 'Prince William' and 'Prince Harry'.
Today The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales make use of the Royal Train for overnight travel to transport them quickly and efficiently to official engagements in more distant parts of the UK, with minimum disruption to the public and with proper security. It remains in full service, but the arrangement is kept under constant review for savings and alternative options.
Q: Allan Draycott - London, UK
When is The Queen likely to approve the appointment of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in succession to the Queen Mother? Is this post in her personal gift and has it been left vacant out of respect to her mother?
Queen Elizabeth, the first woman to be appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, held the position from 1978 until her death. Previous Lord Wardens have included in 1053 Harold, son of Earl Godwin (later Harold I, killed at the battle of Hastings in 1066), William Pitt, the Duke of Wellington, and Sir Winston Churchill. The appointment today is an honorary one which carries no judicial or administrative powers, though originally the holder was responsible for the defence of the Channel coast by sea and land. The appointment, and its timing, are proposed by the Government and formally approved by The Queen.
Q: Delia Johnson - Michigan, USA
Do the rules of etiquette differ for UK and Commonwealth citizens who meet The Queen, as opposed to citizens of other foreign countries? Are non-UK and non-Commonwealth county citizens ever invited to the garden tea parties hosted by Her Majesty?
There are no strict rules of etiquette for people from the UK, the Commonwealth or the rest of the world when meeting The Queen, simply good manners.
Non-UK guests are generally only invited to Royal garden parties only if they are members of the diplomatic missions, or if the FCO or DTI request a special invitation for a VIP to attend (ie: for trade reasons etc.) and perhaps be presented to The Queen.
Q: Nick Weekes - Deal, Kent
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport publishes a list of the days of the year on which the Union Flag is to be flown at Government buildings and says that these days are determined by Buckingham Palace. As most of the days are Royal anniversaries, this makes sense. But in the case of the few days that are not Royal anniversaries (e.g. St David's Day, Commonwealth Day, Europe Day, Remembrance Day), does the Palace act on the advice of the Government? Also, can you confirm that Her Majesty has no objection to ordinary citizens and non-governmental bodies flying the Union Flag on other days of the year?
Decisions concerning flag flying at Government buildings on flag days unconnected to Royal anniversaries are a matter for the Government. The flying of the Union Flag on other days of the year is for local authorities and individuals to decide.
Q: Grace Tolson - Australia
Her Majesty is Queen of Australia. Am I correct in thinking that in this country her correct title is Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth and not Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II?
The Queen's title in Australia is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In the UK, Her Majesty is known as The Queen (to avoid confusion over numerals, because there was no Elizabeth I in Scotland).
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