Q: Lee - Singapore
I was looking at pictures of The Queen during her recent State Visit to Germany and noticed that she used her own customized automobile (from the Royal insignia on the doors and the customized way the rear door opens). Does this happen regularly? Also, how are the vehicles transported overseas?
The two Bentley State Limousines that were seen on TV during the recent State Visit to Germany are two of the five State Vehicles used for formal and ceremonial occasions by The Queen and members of the Royal Family; the other three vehicles being Rolls Royces.
The two Bentleys were presented to The Queen in May 2002 as a Golden Jubilee presentation by the Bentley Motor Company on behalf of a consortium of British based automotive manufacturing and service companies. These cars were built in the workshops of Bentley Mulliner, the specialist division of Bentley Motors.
The cars are unique and are the first ceremonial Royal vehicles to have been developed using the latest computer aided design techniques.
It is a duel fuelled vehicle using either low-octane, unleaded petrol or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). They are painted in the State Vehicle livery of 'Royal Claret'.
The first of the Bentleys was first used to convey The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh from St. Paul's Cathedral to the Mansion House during Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
In the last twelve months the cars have been transported to France for the Entente Cordiale Visit in April, and the Official State Visit to Germany in November, by H.M. The Queen.
The State Vehicles, with their wide windows and interior lighting are used to enable people to see The Queen as she travels from engagement to engagement.
Car transporters are used to move the cars over longer trips around the UK, for example to Scotland, or to the Isle of Wight where sea travel is necessary.
Q: Margo - York, Pennsylvania, US
Does The Queen have some sort of Royal anthem or musical rendition that announces her entrance that is equivalent to the American President's 'Hail to the Chief?'
The nearest equivalent to 'Hail to the Chief' is the British National Anthem.
It is customary for the National Anthem to be played whenever The Queen makes a public appearance. Its performance at the opening or closing of theatrical performances is becoming less and less common, but it is still played by the British Broadcasting Corporation every night before closedown.
When a Royal salute is given, the whole verse of the anthem is played for The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh; for other members of the Royal Family only six bars are played.
The Principality of Wales and the Isle of Man have their own anthems which are used either independently of, or together with, the National Anthem.
When The Queen is visiting a Realm (where she is their Sovereign), the National Anthem is still played on her arrival but it is known as the Royal Anthem, in order to distinguish it from that country's own national anthem which is played as well.
Q: Beverley Smith - North Yorkshire
I understand that Queen Mary had an extensive Christmas card collection. Could you tell me more about it, and if it is possible to view it?
Since childhood, Queen Mary, consort of King George V, collected Christmas cards and New Year cards. She kept cards sent to her by her mother and Queen Victoria, along with some sent between other relatives, including The Queen.
Queen Mary kept her beautiful, often unique, cards in George V's spare stamp albums. The albums' cover cards, produced between 1872 and 1952, represent fine examples of the best cards made during that period.
The collection was donated to The British Museum and may be viewed by written request to the Keeper of Prints and Drawings, The British Museum.
Q: Sam - Tokyo
I have heard of a place called the Castle of Mey which belonged to The Queen Mother. Does this still exist? If so, can I visit it?
The castle was the seat of the Earls of Caithness, who were the Earls of Orkney until James II of Scots made them exchange the Earldom of their island - which was at that time a Norwegian dependency - for that of Caithness.
At first Mey was a fortified house, but in c. 1560 the fourth earl, George Sinclair, turned it into a true castle. It remained in the Sinclair family, from which The Queen Mother was herself descended, until 1890, when it was bequeathed to an old school friend of John Sinclair, the 14th Earl of Caithness.
Soon after the death of King George VI in 1952, his widow, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, was staying with friends in the very north of Scotland when she heard that Barrogill Castle in Caithness, 6 miles from John O'Groats and overlooking the Pentland Firth and Orkney, was for sale.
The ancient building was in desperate need of major renovations, and it was three years before Queen Elizabeth could move in. When she did, Barrogill then reverted to its old name, the Castle of Mey.
Much of the furniture in the renovated castle was chosen by The Queen Mother herself. The castle's gardens, carefully sheltered against the elements of their northerly location and surrounding bleak moorland, are among the most beautiful in Scotland.
At Queen Elizabeth's request, the Castle of Mey Trust was formed in 1996, to help preserve Scotland's heritage of historic buildings with architectural interest, and to encourage public interest through visits; the Trust was also formed to help preserve the Aberdeen Angus cattle breed and the North Country Cheviot breed of sheep.
The Trust now administers the summer opening of the Castle; in 2005, the dates are 2 May to 28 July, and 10 August to 29 September. Large groups of 100 or more can visit out of season by prior arrangement. For further information on admission, please visit the Castle of Mey web site.
Q: Kenji - Kobe, Japan
Have Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh ever met the Emperor and Empress of Japan either in the UK or on a State Visit to Japan?
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Japan 7 - 12 May 1975. This was a return visit following the State visit of Emperor Hirohito to the UK in 1971. The Royal party arrived at the State Guest House in Akasaka Palace on 7 May, where they were greeted by Emperor and Empress Horohito, the Crown Prince and Princess and other members of the Imperial family. A State Banquet was given that evening by the Emperor at Imperial Palace. On 9 May, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh received the Emperor and Empress of Japan for a 'Return Banquet' at the British Embassy.
During their stay, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh took part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, watched Japanese football being played in the main courtyard at the Imperial Palace and visited the temples and apartments of Hideyoshi amongst numerous other engagements.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh met Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, when they hosted a State Visit to the UK by the Emperor and Empress from 26-29 May 1998.
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