British ambassador Fleur Thomas poses with Paddington bear at the celebrations marking the birthday and platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
After two years of postponements, the British embassy in Luxembourg on Thursday was once again able to invite guests to its traditional celebration of the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.
As in the UK, the event this year coincided with the celebration of the platinum jubilee marking 70 years of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Ambassador Fleur Thomas welcomed guests to the garden of her residence, which housed a tent erected in case of inclement weather, as well as a gin bar, serving the Queen’s favourit aperitif Gin and Dubonnet, and a cider and beer tent serving some very nice beverages from the Edinburgh Beer Factory including a superb Thistly Cross whisky cask cider.
Indeed, British food and drink were served throughout the evening, including the winning Platinum Jubilee Trifle and Her Majesty’s favourite chocolate cake served as a cake pop, as well as fish and chips and shortbread.
Nasir Zubari and ambassador Fleur Thomas Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Melanie Delannoy, Nasir Zubari, John Parkhouse, Stephen Nye and Tonika Hirdmann Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Ambassador for a Day essay winner Laura Shaw and Stefan van Look (right) Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Marie-Adélaïde Leclercq-Olhagaray, Valerie Fontaine and Graham Dew Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Patrick Birden and Thomas Flammang Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Geoff Thompson and Victoria Hodgson Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Jazmin Campbell and Laetitia Masson (centre) Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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MP Sven Clement and Cape Verde ambassador Carlos Semedo Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Irish guards at the entrance to the residence Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Lisa McLean, Corinne Cahen and Robert Philippart Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Daniel Nepgen, Lynn Warken and Melody Hansen Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Tania Tennina and Sarah Brock Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Dhiraj Sabharwal, Isabelle Wiseler-Lima and Pierre-Nicolas Werner Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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The celebration took place in the magnificent setting of the British embassy residence garden Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Sarah Battey and Louise Edworthy Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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The celebration took place in the magnificent setting of the British embassy residence garden Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Guests were able to view an exhibition of photos and artefacts related to Queen Elizabeth II Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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A portrait of the Queen Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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A porcelain figure of Queen Elizabeth II Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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A band from the Nato Support and Procurement Agency provided musical entertainment Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Lloyd Laurent on guitar Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Guests enjoyed a selection of British and Luxembourg food and drink Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Guests enjoyed the sun in the residence garden Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Bibi Wintersdorf Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Daniel Eischen and Finbarr Browne (right) Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Marie-Adélaïde Leclercq-Olhagaray and Geraldine Knudson Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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The NSPA band Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Ambassador Fleur Thomas poses with Paddington bear Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Valerie Fontaine, Marie-Adélaïde Leclercq-Olhagaray, ambassador Fleur Thomas and Stacy Cummings Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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Roland Reiland Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne
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“We do live in strange times,” Thomas said as she opened her welcome address by referring to the covid-related cancellations and the invasion of Ukraine. “It seems sometimes odd to be celebrating at this moment. But I think we also have to think that these are the things that we’re fighting for. We’re fighting for the freedoms to have these kinds of events and that’s exactly what the Ukrainians are fighting for right now.”
Thomas recalled that one of her first memories was the celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s silver jubilee, marking 25 years on the throne in 1977 Silver Jubilee. And she recounted some landmark figures of that reign. “Her majesty has made 260 official visits and 100 state visits to 110 countries,” Thomas said. “She is president and patron of over 600 charities and 14 prime ministers have served under her.”
The ambassador thanked sponsor PwC, her own hardworking staff for making the event happen. Thanks also went to St. George's school for providing a singer and pianist to perform the national anthems and to the band from the Nato Support and Procurement Agency which provided musical entertainment throughout the evening.
She also introduced Laura Shaw, the winner of the embassy’s first Ambassador for a Day essay content. “In a very, very tight competition in which people has to write an essay about their about their thoughts on gender, she did a fantastic job,” said Thomas. Laura will be able to spend a working day with the ambassador and get a glimpse look behind the scenes of the world of diplomacy.
