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John Stillwell / Pool via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II poses for a group photo with her royal guests at Windsor Castle.
LONDON -- A lunch of monarchs, hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on Friday as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, has attracted protests from campaigners angry at the attendance of the king of Bahrain and the king of Swaziland.
The king of Bahrain, whose regime is accused of brutally suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations, was among dozens of sovereign monarchs invited to the banquet at Windsor Castle.
On Wednesday, protesters gathered outside the recently-refurbished Savoy hotel -- where Swaziland’s King Mswati III is believed to be staying. With more than a dozen wives and an entourage of 30, Africa’s last monarch lives in luxury despite the abject poverty of his subjects. Pictures of the protest were posted on a campaign blog.
Meanwhile, demonstrators were expected to stage protests outside Bahrain's embassy in London later on Friday.
The former Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane accused his old department of placing the Queen in an impossible position. The Labour party lawmaker told The Guardian newspaper: “Many in Britain will regret that the foreign secretary, who approves all invitations sent in the queen's name as head of state, has decided to include a representative of the Bahraini regime which has done such terrible things to its own people since the Arab awakening a year ago."
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee lunch at Windsor should have been a rare moment of pageantry as monarchs from around the world met to celebrate the 60-year milestone. Instead it was plunged into controversy when the Queen shook the hand of the King of Bahrain, whose regime is accused of human rights abuses. ITN Tim Ewart reports.
Read more on this story from Britain's ITV News
However, pro-Bahrain monarchy supporter Lubna Sulaipeekh told ITV News that King Hamad of Bahrain's attendance at the Queen's Jubilee lunch is "appropriate" as Britain and Bahrain have "always had good relations".
Among those not attending is Queen Sofía of Spain, whose government turned down the invitation in a diplomatic spat over Gibraltar, the U.K. overseas territory Spain wants returned.
A diplomatic row over the U.K.'s century old sovereignty of the Rock of Gibraltar has meant one fewer guest at the Queen's diamond jubilee lunch. As Queen Sophia of Spain cancels, one guest who will be attending, the King of Bahrain, is causing controversy over his country's human rights record. ITV's Tim Ewart reports.
Graham Smith, from British anti-monarchy campaign group, Republic, told the London Evening Standard: “The queen cannot hide behind protocol and precedent — this is a crisis of her own making. The British people strongly support the struggle for democracy in the Middle East and around the world — this is a catastrophic error of judgment."
Responding to criticism, a Foreign Office spokesman said that maintaining a close relationship with Bahrain allowed it to "have a full and frank discussion on a range of issues".
He told ITV News: "On human rights we support the reforms already under way in Bahrain and we want to help promote that reform. We have consistently encouraged the Bahraini government to take further urgent steps to implement in full the recommendations of the Independent Commission of Inquiry as the his majesty the king has committed to doing. This includes bringing to account those individuals responsible for human rights abuses."
Getty Images
From unique prints to fabulous hats, the British monarch's fashion choices often show a sense of fun. Take a look through Queen Elizabeth II's signature looks over the years.
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Leave a Comment:
that ridiculous anti monarchy man is wrong (and knows he is). This is not a 'crisis of the Queen's making). The Queen, as your article pointed out, does not invite these people, the British Foreign Office does.
He has every right to be a republican but outright untruths are no way to campaign. He should withdraw his slur and apologize.
Why the hell does Britain still have a monarchy anyway? I mean, come on - y'all are reasonable and rational people with all the bells and whistles of democracy and equality and all that. Other than providing fodder for tabloids, and doing something to embarrass you every now and then like this, what good or function does a hereditary monarchy serve in this day and age?
It's MY party, you can cry if you want to....says the Queen. As far as the Queen of Spain, that is just childish. I'm sure she won't be missed.
So Britain invites human rights abusers to a fancy dinner, that's still better than Bush, who just gave them our tax dollars so they'd torture people for us.
Obama is doing too but at a larger scale. Read, educate Dem in Texas. besides, you act as if this is a new thing. JFK and LBJ was much worse than Bush ever thought of doing.
Africa’s last monarch lives in luxury despite the abject poverty of his subjects.
As opposed to the way the "democratically" elected leaders of African countries live? (sarcasm)
Who cares?
Next. There is news in this World and even better, news worthwhile reporting.
People who think that the King of Bahrain is so bad should take a hard look at who is taking control in these so called "Arab Spring" countries that have overthrown dictators in favor of "democracy." They have gotten rid of what were relatively benign secular dictators and handed power to Islamist fanatics. These countries are becoming Islamic republics where anyone who does not follow the state sanctioned version of Islam is persecuted. In Egypt under Mubarak people were free to worship as they chose and Catholics lived side by side in peace with Muslims. Now you have ever increasing religiously motivated violence and a country that is far worse off than it was under Mubarak. The outcome has been similar in Libya. The so called rebels that are protesting in Bahrain as well as those in Syria are nothing more than Islamic factions who want control for themselves. They have no interest in a real democratic government where everyone has the freedom to live their lives and worship as they choose. All they want is to overthrow the current government so that they can seize power for themselves and implement their brand of Islam and Islamic/Sharia law. This does not represent an improvement. When you have a largely illiterate, uneducated electorate democracy does not work. The people are too easily swayed by a charismatic religious zealot who makes many promises to gain control and them solidifies control and crushes all dissent. In these cases, sometimes a benign secular dictator is the best you can hope for.
As for the King of Bahrain and the King of Swaziland being invited, do not fault the Queen, she had nothing to do with it. The invitations are sent out by the foreign office in the queens name but that does not mean that she approved the guest list.
You can't please some people sometime, let alone all the people all the time.
It's a celebration, on with the party I say!
Having 12 wives and 30 concubines makes a man healthy wealthy and wise.
and pretty darned tired too.
Not if his people rise against him...........
Yes, not living up to 12 wives expectations is my goal.
Once a king, always a king
Once a knight, is enough
1. 60 years of frumpy, dowdy clothes and stupid hats make the Queen of England appear older than she actually is.
2. Because she is THE QUEEN, she allows the British Foreign Office to invite whomever they want to lunch and neither you nor I have any say in the matter. Why can't she have a tea party with dictators from third and fourth world countries? Is she spending YOUR money?
mathuin....
Are you from England??? If you are American no she is not spending YOUR money and why would you even want a say in who they invite to lunch. I think she looks fantastic for her age. She is a remarkable woman that has spent her whole life in the public eye with people like you trying to criticize everything she does and says. I would like to see how you would handle just one week doing all she has to do and how many blunders you could make. I can only guess you would look pretty bad after about one day.
WELL SAID gmainco. I am an American- but only recently. My Grandfather was a British citizen that jumped ship in New York, so I do have a fond admiration for the Queen. I say she has done a fine job and anyone else would have effed it up by now.
Our very own Presidents make blunders every day, including screwing their secretaries in the Oval Office.
I say let her do what she wants. She has DEDICATED her entire life to serving the people of England in one form or another.
God Speed!
dont get your bloomers in a bunch.
So, what else is new. The queen is always out-of-touch with everything - from politics to 'politically' correct action to fashion, as well. (Sorry msn, I would DEFINITELY NOT put the queen anywhere near a fashionista - more like lower East End Londoner - in taste.) Fashion aside, it is a disgrace that such an old and long serving monarach is so distant from the REAL world, and the suffering of ordinary people. What is most awful about this - is she certainly couldn't care less - nor could the entourage that serves her. I bet there are many of The British who wish they could vote a monarchy out! The queen & her monarchy is a horrid embarassment to her nation!
As Rex Harrison said in 'My Fair Lady' - "..it doesn't really matter what you say, as long as you pronounce it correctly..." Hey, GUESS WHAT! It's no longer the early '60's & IT DOES COUNT - what you say & what you do!!
SJIS. You're wrong! Some Brits would like her out but the majority of us would prefer to have a Queen or King as head of State rather than a lousy politician. Your post is a load of old tosh I'm afraid. Have you ever been abroad? I doubt it.
Seems like an extremely poor selection of guests for the queen's tea. However, politics, politics............
Yes, Obama is such a better leader and never does anything shady. If you live in a glass house (or a White one).
Notice obama is not there...she was afraid his unclassy wife might hug her again!! Besides, obama would be busy bowing to the African King and not her. You complain about the Queen's wardrobe, I would take hers any day over the first lady's!! At least the Queenis classy!
Well said USA/Canuk!
Seeing this luncheon was for royalty, Obama don't fit the criteria.
Not well said. Spoken like one who didn't even bother to read the title of the story before running off at the mouth. It is a luncheon for world monarchs. President Obama is not a world monarch.
How about when gwb held hands and pranced around the boardwalk with the Arab? And kissed him. Quite manly.
azyar
Some one needs to tell him that.
Ah, the middle east, birthplace of freedom and stability. Take all of the rulers out and put the common folk in charge and the world will go down the crapper faster than it already is.
As long as they can use these dictators for their own benefits,no one in the west will give a damn about democracy,otherwise how could you sit and have lunch with these killers and call yourself a democratic country.is all about double standard.
The article criticizes that he, "lives in luxury despite the abject poverty of his subjects" says,"regime is accused of brutally suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations" They say that like it's a bad thing. If Romney wins the presidency America could easily say the same thing. It's so funny, in a non-humorous way, that Americans react to the sins of others but not their own. All rulers are fit to be judged and the people who support and condone bad conduct of the rulers they choose are also guilty.
You are joking right? We have that already.
I was going to say the same normal. Obama jets here and there and parties at the WH while the unemployed go hungry. Not much difference there!
Folks can't handle that Romney was successful, people it isn't like Obama is a poor man.
At least she didn't bow to him and kiss his
assring.Well hell, if she could put up with Obummer she can put up with anything!!! The good, the bad and the ugly.
Leave the Queen alone and stop winning. Can't people just shut up. The United States has a Base in Bahrain, we don't seem to be moving it out. As for the Country that has many poor people and the King is living in luxury..well look around people. How many in the U.S. live the same way and our President lives in Luxury. It seems that people just want to talk crap.
An excellent fashion slideshow!
It's not the Queen inviting these people - she just stands there, shakes hands, and nods. Honestly, if she said two words to each of the people there it was probably a lot. It's just a staged little show. Her states people are a tad out of touch with reality. England is alway in a bit of a muck. Royalty is pretty much history, she's basically a dying breed. I say let her spend her time playing Queen, with teas, balls, and parades. She may be England's last Queen. It's sometimes fun to watch the pomp and circumstance - it's like watching a real life fairy tale.
This whole creepy monarchy thing is ridiculous. Every now and then they wheel out these stuffed imitations of human beings to give somebody a medal or make a guitar player a knight. Do the brits not realize how stupid this circus makes them look? It would be like if we kept George Washington's body on display at the White House and had it make recorded speeches every week. They follow every scripted detail of the royals' so-called "lives", as if anybody actually cares where some teenager is going to do his fake tour in the army or what model he is going to marry.
We put Kim Kardassian on TV and the internet, but at least we know enough to be embarrassed about it. Paris Hilton has done more to be famous than the whole British "royal" family. When you have fake celebrities, it's much less stupid-looking if you at least realize they are fake celebrities. Queen has lunch. Who cares? Let her post it on her facebook page like everybody else. Why don't they show us something important, like what color they are painting the fire hydrants in Cleveland?
Try to salvage a little dignity, brits, stop idolizing the descendants of brutal dictators. Isn't it bad enough when some jerk kills and oppresses his people and then makes them bow to him? You want to bow to their great-great-grandkids, too? The absurd irony here is that people are mad because she invited a couple of people who really ARE kings to have lunch with her and the other fake ones. Good call, brits. Don't idolize murderers and dictators, idolize their grandkids. Much better. Bad news: you lost India, too. You don't need an emperor without an empire.
goes to show they are all in it toghether
They're complaining about African/Muslim despots? What a shock. Because as we all know they are the most peace loving altruists on the planet. Not.
My invite musta got lost in the mail.
The reason Obama isnt there is that he is president not monarch. The only Monarch not there that should have been is the Pope.
notice she didn't bow to the S.A. king like BHObama did.
Throw pennies at O'Bama and he'll bow.
Why would she? Presidents aren't monarchs. They are technically servants, not rulers. It would make sense for a president or a citizen to bow to a monarch. Doesn't make sense for one queen to bow to another king - especially when she's the one hosting the event.
English crybabies and whiners get to work on your own government and economy and stop spending everybody elses hard earned money. You and Your Queen or King have been appropriating the wealth of the nations for centuries on land and on the sea causing world wars and impoverishing entire races. It's about time your Queen threw a party for some of the victims.
Who cares!
Just the fact that they have a monarchy in this day and age is rediculous. Just let them be like any other rich person without the pomp and circumstance.
If Spain wants its former possessions returned it should
have won the wars they lost them in then they wouldn't be "Former"
possessions.
I love England and a wonderful country to visit, but how do people support a family as royalty giving them millions of dollars for just being PR figures. When you think of it your next door neighbor could have been born into the family and done just as well a job, with rules of how to act. Never happen in US. Our royalty is elected and they corruptly take money from the taxpayers, but at least we foolishly vote for them, time after time.