Buckingham Palace have announced that The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will visit New Scotland Yard next Thursday after their schedulued visit in March was cancelled due to a terror attack.
The Queen and Prince Philip were originally scheduled to officially open the new headquarters of the Metropolitan Police a few months ago, however, the terror attack on Westminster Bridge resulted in the postponment of the engagement.
Reasons for the cancellation of the trip at the time included the fact that the proximity between the scene of the attack and New Scotland Yard was very close, and there were also security concerns to take into account.
It was also deemed inappropriate for the visit to go ahead when the police were already over-stretched dealing with the aftermath of a major incident, ans a visit by the Monarch would have used much needed resources.
The 91-year-old Queen and the 96-year-old Duke of Edinburgh will be greeted at the headquarters by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick and Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey.
The Queen and Duke will then proceed past a display of police vehicles and two police horses into the building where they will view a selection of historical items, including a WWII uniform of a female PC and an operational order for the Coronation in 1953.
After watching a display by a bomb-disposal robot, the royal party will then go up to the upper floors in the building to see a series of displays covering “A Day in the life of the Met” this includes meeting search dogs and various uniformed and civilian personnel, including a forensic specialist. They will then see examples of crime scene plans and seized weapons before viewing the panorama of the Thames and the Westminster skyline from the balcony.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will also attend a reception for staff, including those who provided the immediate, investigative and support response to the recent terrorism incidents in Westminster and Southwark which postponed the original engagement. On returning to the ground floor, Commissioner Dick will say words of thanks and The Queen will unveil a plaque commemorating the opening.
This visit will be one of the last to be undertaken jointly by The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip retires from public duty in a few weeks time.
I hope the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh discuss the report that “The Guardian” printed yesterday, that PM Teresa May had surprised saying that Saudi Arabia was the main nation responsible for terrorism in Britain. I would remind you that also, I did a detailed that the Loyal Opposition of Jeremy Corbin liked on the nature and history of Saudi Arabia’s terrorism, including how the National Security Agency had given them their cyber ability as was witnessed on 9/11 to suppress U.S defense systems. I hope the report will be given the Royal couple to discuss with Scotland Yard and Her Majesty’s Secret Services.