Queen’s Birthday celebrations at British High Commissioner’s Residence in Windhoek
Queen’s Birthday celebrations at British High Commissioner’s Residence in Windhoek
HE Mrs Marianne Young on the occasion of the Queen's Birthday Party in Windhoek
The British High Commission once again threw its annual Queen’s Birthday Party in Windhoek today to mark the Official Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a full scale British garden party, live music, Pimms, bangers and beef delicacies, strawberries and cream, and a few great hats.
The British High Commission marked the special occasion in Namibia by hosting a well attended garden party at the High Commissioner’s residence in Klein Windhoek. More than 300 guests attended the event, including government officials, amongst them guest of honour, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Hon. Tommy Nambahu, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Professor Peter Katjavivi, Baroness Lynda Chalker, captains of industry, members of civil society, the diplomatic corps, as well as the media.
The High Commissioner, HE Mrs Marianne Young, highlighted the healthy state of bilateral relations between Namibia and the UK, 2015 marking 25 years of strong and healthy bilateral relations with the government and people’s of the Republic of Namibia. The event also celebrated the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge on the 2nd of May; and it celebrated the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, the document that laid the foundations for the rights and representation that the UK enjoys today.
The event also marked 100 days until the kick off of the Rugby World Cup being hosted in England and Wales this year from 18 September to 1 November. Marking this bilateral sporting success, three special team jerseys - two from the Welsh team and one signed Namibian national jersey were auctioned off. The auction raised N$4500 and all proceeds will go to the Namibian arm of the International Rugby Board’s development project: “Get into Rugby”, to help bring rugby development programmes to the regions and grass roots in Namibia.
Adding a personal note, H.E. Mrs Young, said: “Today marks my last Queen’s Birthday Party with you – and almost the end of my time as the British High Commissioner to Namibia. This June marks my fourth year in the Land of the Brave – and it has been a wonderful experience for both myself and my family. During our time in Namibia, we have made many friends, shared many wonderful experiences and, in less than two months, will be taking away many warm memories of my years spent strengthening UK-Namibian relations.“
Read the full speech here.