2012 marks 60 years on the throne for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, and St. Louis celebrated this landmark occasion for the worldwide British community with The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Lunch at the London Tea Room.
The event was attended by more than 200 people, and raised more than $1,300 in support of the fight against Mucolipidosis III.
As part of this celebration, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay presented to Mark Sutherland, president of Dunrobin Publishing, a proclamation declaring June 5, 2012, “Queen Elizabeth II Day.”
“There is a strong and vibrant connection between St. Louis and the UK,” the Proclamation said. “The British community is a strong component of the St. Louis community in the areas of culture, business, and education, and actively works to increase the connections and partnerships between St. Louis and the UK.”
And Buckingham Palace took note.
A letter from Buckingham Palace, presented to Mayor Slay by Sutherland, informed the Mayor that the Queen “was interested” regarding the proclamation, and The Queen asked Mayor Slay to “convey her best wishes to all concerned for a most memorable day and enjoyable Diamond Jubilee year.”
In another letter to Mayor Slay, British Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott sent his thanks “for this very gracious recognition of the importance of the Jubilee. It is a reminder of the deep and strong links which exist between the people of Great Britain and the people of the City of St. Louis.”
“It was an honor to be asked to host this incredible event,” Jackie James, co-owner of the London Tea Room and mother of a child with Mucolipidosis III, said. “And to have it all benefit efforts to cure children like my own daughter was amazing.”
“It was a grand time for all. And a great break from the office, and a chance for people to bring their kids down to see a wee bit of British culture,” Sutherland said. “And all for a good cause. It was a fitting tribute to a Queen who has devoted her entire life to the service of others.”
The Mayor’s Proclamation is now displayed permanently at the London Tea Room.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Lunch was supported by the efforts of the UK in St. Louis, the London Tea Room, Mark I. Sutherland, Dunrobin Publishing, the Black Knights Fight Group, Queen’s Cuisine, folk singers Sid and Maggi Ritchie, bagpiper Lauree Palmer, Monsanto Company, Covenant Technology Partners, The Campbell House Museum, Elmwood Golf Club, English Living, author Glynn Young, the City of St. Louis, the McGraw Milhaven Show, Fox 2, KMOX, Brentwood Travel, Michael Drummond, LeaAnna James, Ellie Levi, Frankie Myers and Anna James.
Connect with everything British in St. Louis on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/UKinSTL.
