Crowds defy the weather to greet Queen

Thursday 5 July 2012

THEY waited for hours, braving the darkening sky and torrential summer downpours in red, white and blue rain jackets and Union Flag umbrellas.

REIGN OR SHINE: The Queen meets crowds in George Square, which was turned into a sea of red, white and blue. Main picture: Kirsty Anderson

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CATRIONA STEWART and CATE DEVINE

As Glasgow strung out the bunting to welcome Her Majesty for a day of Diamond Jubilee celebrations, those who were hoping for a glimpse of the Queen got their chance when the clouds parted in George Square.

The Queen's pink coat and silk floral print dress, designed by Stewart Parvin, and a pink hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, struck a cheerful note among the grey clouds overhead during her day-long tour of the city. At George Square, while the Queen mingled with local dignitaries, Prince Philip appeared to look at a classic car, a Hillman Imp, parked in the square. The vehicle was one of the first off the production line at Linwood when it was opened by His Royal Highness in 1963 and is now kept in the Riverside Museum. New Lord Provost Sadie Docherty gave a short speech congratulating Her Majesty for 60 years on the throne before asking the Queen to unveil a special commemorative plaque. The royal pair then walked along the crowd waiting outside to see them. While the Queen returned to her waiting car, Prince Philip took the time to stop and exchange a few words with members of the crowd. Carin Winchester, on holiday from Austin, Texas, was hoping for a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth. The 42-year-old said: "I was so pleased to discover my holiday coincided with the Queen's visit to Scotland. "I was about eight people from the front of the barrier and I couldn't believe how close I was to her – it was a real delight and she looked fantastic." The royal couple arrived in the city by helicopter with Glasgow Green turned into a temporary helipad. They then travelled to Glasgow Cathedral for a service led by its minister, Reverend Dr Laurence Whitley. Some 1300 people attended the service inside the 12th century cathedral, with Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, the Most Reverend Mario Conti, Archbishop of Glasgow, and the Right Reverend Albert Bogle, Moderator of the General Assembly, among the congregation. Fanfare trumpeters from the band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Scotland played as she and the Duke entered the cathedral. They then formed part of a royal procession which involved banner bearers and heralds, who progressed up the central aisle to their seats. During his sermon, the Right Reverend Bogle paid tribute to the Queen. He said: "During this past 60 years Her Majesty has brought the continuity and insight of a wise and gifted monarch, acting as a counsellor and confidante to many a prime minister and world leader." Pupils from Glasgow secondary schools read prayers of thanksgiving. Church leaders including the Most Reverend David Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, also said prayers. First Minister Alex Salmond read the first lesson, Psalm 46 vv 1-11. Later, the Queen travelled to St Margaret's Hospice in Clydebank to meet patients and staff before going to the nearby Our Holy Redeemer Primary School. Hugh McElroy, landlord of St Margaret Hospice's first charity shop in Anniesland Cross, was among the welcoming party. He said he last saw the Queen as a young Army cadet in the early 1960s. "She has changed colossally since then," he said. "But she remains as elegant and social as ever." The Queen and Prince Philip then went on to visit Cathcart Square in Greenock and formally open Inverclyde Council's new £2 million Contact Centre.

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Crowds defy the weather to greet Queen

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