Madam, – I am looking forward with a degree of trepidation to the Queen’s visit to our shores. Let me hasten to add that my fears are not concerned with the rightness or otherwise of the visit’s timing. I am worried that our Defence Forces’ performance of the military ceremonial involved may not be up to the routine standard of excellence delivered by her own services.
As a former member of the reserve of our Army, I have to say that our performances over the years have been patchy, ranging from the sublime to the downright embarrassing. During the coming visit, the eyes of the world, not just those of the UK, will be on our military. Only a top-drawer performance will be acceptable. The Army top brass have had plenty of time to prepare for this, so there will be no excuses. Let the world see that whatever about being able to manage our economy, at least we can turn out a decent guard of honour. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The forthcoming visit of the Queen is welcome to most Irish people. I am sure the Queen is looking forward to it and it is about time that the head of state of a country with which we have full diplomatic relations is at last able to pay a formal visit.
Apart from the historical aspect, it will also be a great boost to tourism for years to come.
However, there is one thing that worries me as regards protocol. I hope that no Irish person embarrasses us by bowing or curtsying to the Queen or the Duke. No citizen of a Republic should bow or curtsy to royalty of any country. Remember, we are citizens; the British are subjects. The Queen herself, some 12 or 15 years ago, said publicly in Britain that it was not necessary for anybody to bow or bend the knee to her. The Queen should be greeted in the same way as the President of the United States.
I have seen some footage recently on television of both Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese as Presidents of Ireland meeting the Queen in Buckingham Palace and Northern Ireland and both showed no deference to Her Majesty, other than as the head of state of any country with which we have close ties. - Yours, etc,
Madam, – All this talk of road closures, traffic restrictions, and so on brings a chilling reminder of the effect of last December’s snow.
However, remember the words of the poet: If Windsor comes, can spring be far behind? – Yours, etc,