On Friday, Her Majesty The Queen visited Haig housing in Morden, south London. This marks The Queen’s first public engagement since her return from her summer holiday in Balmoral earlier this week.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Haig Housing is the country’s largest military housing charity, with over 1,500 properties across the UK, providing affordable accommodation to armed forces veterans and their families.
The visit brought back memories for The Queen; in 1949, the then-Princess Elizabeth, opened a new Haig Housing estate in Jersey. Her Majesty has been patron of Haig Housing since 1952.
In 1949 The Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) opened a new @HaigHousing estate in Jersey.
70 years on…
Her Majesty officially opens a new development @HaigHousing in Morden. pic.twitter.com/O1mkU6B0pZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 11, 2019
The Queen visited the Bowman family in their new home during the visit, so she could see the work of the organisation for veterans. Michael Bowmen served in the Grenadier Guards for 14 years, and along with his family, is one of the first to move into Haig Housing’s new development of 70 homes in Morden.
She was offered a cup of tea, but had to decline: “I don’t think I have time for that,” she said, and moved on to talk about Michael’s military career.
The Bowman family welcome The Queen into their home ?
Michael served in the @GrenadierGds for 14 years, and along with his family, is one of the first to move into @HaigHousing’s new development of 70 homes. pic.twitter.com/6iRtiCnTZz
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 11, 2019
A group of veterans involved in Long Walk Home also spoke with Her Majesty; they participated in a national event last year, which saw 100 veterans walk the 100 miles from Ypres to the Cenotaph to mark the centenary of Armistice Day.
The Queen speaks to veterans who walked from Ypres to the Cenotaph in London (Royal Family)
The Queen met Royal Air Force veteran Ken Souter, who joined squadron in 1940 and flew Hurricanes in North Africa. The Queen had recently sent Ken a birthday card to celebrate his 100th birthday, which he was holding when they met; she told Ken she was happy to see it had arrived in time because sometimes, she was worried the cards would not arrive in time for the recipient’s birthday.
The Monarch also spent time with Invictus Games silver medallist Dan Phillips, who called the day an ‘absolutely incredible experience’.
Mr Phillips, who uses a wheelchair after being injured in Afghanistan in 2012, previously met The Duke of Sussex during trials for the Invictus Games in 2017. Dan said, “I was a young lad that grew up on a council estate, snotty nose, holes in my shoes. For somebody like that to get to meet The Queen is brilliant.”
The Queen walked along the Queen Elizabeth Terrace, a road named after her in the housing estate, to meet more residents of the new development. She unveiled a plaque to officially open the scheme.
After meeting residents along the Queen Elizabeth Terrace – a block named in her honour, The Queen unveiled a plaque to officially open the new development.
Her Majesty has been Patron of @HaigHousing since 1952.
*Sound on* ? pic.twitter.com/CBNfGbbcIB
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 11, 2019
2 comments
Very Proud to see Her Majesty Queen and their Royal Highness participating the events and she encourages the world to be together with happiness and Harmony.For more than decades,she done a great job to the world in her capacity,became the Most Powerful Queen of the world.I take this opportunity to let her attention on Climate Change in related to the Environmental issues.I strongly believe that the Royal Highness can do a very important role in this regard and Issues can be solved also bring the world for a collective effort.The Environmental Law and Policy Foundation,in Sri Lanka,we educate the people and help the Government to carry out the national policies aligned with the National Environmental Act in 1980.I forward this Message to the Her Majesty Queen and The Royal Highness to have Forum on Climate Issues under the Leadership of the Royal specially in Commonwealth Nations.As a Commonwealth Member we are happy to implement such programs leading with the The Royal Highness.
Super cute