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Queen's Diamond Jubilee Lunch

The Master and Guests Lunch with Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family

On 5th June, the livery masters of the City of London had the great honour of entertaining Her Majesty The Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and HRH Prince Harry to luncheon at Westminster Hall. At the request of the Lord Great Chamberlain, the guests were drawn from the broad spectrum of society including charities, educational establishments, and the armed services which are supported by the livery movement.

The Bowyers' guests were Lt. Commander Paddy Allen, former commanding officer of HMS Northumberland; Captain Simon Cupples CGC of the Mercian Regiment; Mrs Anna Baker-Cresswell, founder of the charity, 'Gardening Leave'; and Ayesha Mazumder, a sixth form pupil at the Central Foundation Girls' School.

Westminster Hall was a spectacular setting for the event, redolent with history from the trial of Sir Thomas Moore to the lying in state of many deceased members of the Royal family. The National Children's orchestra played a note perfect performance throughout the occasion, and contributed materially to the feeling which permeated Westminster Hall: that beyond the seemingly endless reports of failing schools, social discontent and economic hardship, the nation has good values at its core, and the livery companies are contributing to and supporting those values by the work we undertake.

The Master Mercer spoke well on our behalf in welcoming the Queen, and making known to Her Majesty the affection in which she is held by the livery companies, and acknowledging the example of duty and devotion she has set to her subjects.After the departure of the Queen and the Royal Family, the sight of the fly past of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight followed by the Red Arrows trailing smoke streamers of red, white and blue was a moving end to a memorable occasion.

Howard Mundy Master

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