Q: Lee - Singapore
Does The Queen have a private long range airplane for overseas visits? I understand that the Air Force does provide some small planes. PM Blair usually uses a chartered British Airways plane, does this apply for the Queen?
The Queen does not own a private plane of any description. No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron provide transport for the Royal Family where required and royal flying accounts for about 15% of their total flying hours.
Most of their transport duties are taken up with transporting ministers and officials to engagements throughout the UK and overseas.
For long haul flights on State and official visits, the Royal Travel Office at Buckingham Palace will usually charter an aeroplane to fly the Royal party, officials and staff to their overseas destinations.
This is often a commercial airline such as British Airways. The Queen recently flew British Airways to Australia and to Nigeria.
Q: Angel Matos - Charlotte, NC, USA
Who was The Duke of Kent's mother and when did she die?
The Duke of Kent was eldest child of Prince George, Duke of Kent (brother of King Edward VIII and King George VI) and Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent.
Princess Marina was born into the Greek royal family in Athens, December 1906. She married Prince George in 1934, but he was later killed in a flying accident during the Second World War.
Princess Marina was involved with many charities and continued to carry out Royal engagements until the time of her death in August 1968. She left three children: The Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra and Prince Michael of Kent.
Princess Marina is buried beside her husband in the Frogmore Royal Burial Ground.
Q: J. Pitney - Chicago, IL USA
What will the Changing of the Guard schedule be for Christmas week (12/25 through 12/31 2003)?
The Changing of the Guard will take place as normal over the Christmas period. The guard is changed on even days throughout December, so will take place on 24, 26, 28 and 30 December 2003.
Q: James - Stirling, Scotland
Does The Queen ever wear the Crown Jewels of Scotland?
The Honours of Scotland are the oldest sovereign regalia in the British Isles dating from the late 15th and early 16th century, during the reigns of James IV and James V.
Until the Treaty of Union in 1707, and in the absence of a resident sovereign, the regalia were taken to sittings of the Parliament in Edinburgh to signify the sovereign's presence and his or her consent to the passing of each Act.
After the Union, when the new United Kingdom Parliament met in London, the Honours had no practical use and they were locked away in an oak chest in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle.
In 1818, the chest was opened to discover the Honours were still in their linen wrappings. The Honours were hidden once again and in 1941 they were buried at separate locations in the Castle as a precaution against possible German invasion.
The Honours were removed once from the Castle in 1953, to be taken to a National Service of Thanksgiving at the High Kirk of St Giles in Edinburgh, where they were formally presented to The Queen, who then returned them to their custodians.
Since 1819, the Honours (to which the Stone of Scone was added in 1996, after 700 years in Westminster Abbey) have been on public display in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle, together with the Stewart and the Lorne Jewels.
Q: John Hayward - London
Could you post on the site, the entire speech Her Majesty made at the State Banquet in honour of President Bush please. I have read extracts but would appreciate the whole context, if possible.
View the full text of The Queen's speech at the American State Banquet.
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