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Queen talks about risks of wearing Imperial State Crown
London, Jan 12 (IANS) The UK’s Queen Elizabeth II on Friday spoke of the risks associated with wearing the British Imperial State crown, explaining that its precious stones make it very heavy to wear, along with other memories she wished to share in a unique BBC production.
The British sovereign does not concede interviews to the press, but spoke exclusively to the BBC for the recording of “The Coronation”, a documentary on the British Crown jewels and the other regalia — scheduled for broadcast this Sunday — of which brief extracts were made available on Friday, Efe news agency reported.
“You can’t look down to read the speech, you’ve got to take the speech up, if you don’t your neck would break, it would fall off,” the Queen said referring to the annual ceremony of the opening of the British Parliament, and the state speech where she reads the Government’s programme.
“There are some disadvantages to crowns but, otherwise they are quite important things,” the Queen added with a smile evocating her coronation on June 2, 1953, one year after her father King George VI died.
A crown is the symbol of a 2000-year-old concept of a kingdom, a halo of light representing the head of state and a visible expression of the relationship between sovereign and subject.
Other main artifacts of a British coronation are the orb, expression of the monarch’s religious moral authority and the sceptre representing the concept of “power”.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary), is the Head of State of the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The so-called Imperial State Crown was made for the coronation of her father in 1937 mounting 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, hundreds of pearls and the large “Black Prince’s” ruby, which the Queen likes the “most” (the other State Crown is the St. Andrews crown which she has used only once).
“Fortunately, my father and I have the same shaped head, once on it stays (fixed),” said Queen Elizabeth II, aged 91 who on February 6 will have been the British head of state for 66 years, amply surpassing Queen Victoria’s reign of 63 years and 216 days, between 1837-1901.
The Queen also recalled memories of riding in the State Golden Couch on the day of her 1953 coronation that took her from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey which she described as “horrible” and “not meant for travelling at all”, especially if one is being taken “half-way round London, four or five miles”.
The four-tonne coach is so heavy “the horses can’t go faster”, she said.
When referring to her coronation, the Queen told the BBC: “I suppose it marks the beginning of a life as a sovereign.”
“I have seen one coronation and I have been the recipient in the other, pretty remarkable!” said the longest ruling British monarch.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.