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Chapter II

The State Visit of Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa

12.00 Tuesday 12th June 2001

Mr Thabo Mbeki

Mr Thabo Mbeki

This story is divided into two chapters. This is Chapter Two.
Click here to go to Chapter One.

Also, click here to see photographs of the rehearsal for this event which took place at dawn on Monday 11th June 2001

Queen's Jubilee Celebrations - be here in 2002!

 

Chapter Two - The Procession

At 12 noon on Tuesday 12th June, The President of The Republic of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki and Mrs. Mbeki were welcomed by HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at the start of a State Visit to the UK. This article is the second chapter of a two part record of the event. Chapter One is available here.

Following the welcoming ceremony, the procession commenced, leaving the park and proceeding along Datchet Road.

The first sight of the procession as it made its way past the Castle was as two mounted police rounded the corner of Thames Street to be followed by the first division of the Sovereign's Escort. Nervous glances over their shoulders suggested that the procession was perhaps lagging behind, and indeed the First Division of the Sovereign's Escort was a good way ahead of the second such that they slowed considerably as they reached the top of Thames Street.

Checking progress behind

Checking progress behind!

The Sovereign's Escort approaches the hill at the foot of the Curfew Tower

Following behind the first two divisions of the Sovereign's Escort were seven open Landaus. The first, the 1902 State Landau, carried the Queen and President Mbeki.

President Mbeki

Thabo Mbeki waves to the crowd accompanied by the Queen.

Mrs Mbeki and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

The second carriage, The Semi-State Landau, carried Mrs Mbeki and
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, now 80 years of age.

 

Now passed by the third division of the Sovereign's Escort followed by the third carriage, an Ascot Landau, carrying The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Lord Vestey, Master of the Horse.

The High Commissioner for South Africa

The fourth carriage carrying Ms. Cheryl Carolus, High Commissioner, Mr Graeme Bloch,
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Countess of Airlie

Ministers' carriage 5

The fifth carriage carried Mr Alec Irwin, Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota,
Minister for Defence, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Minister for Minerals and Energy
and The Viscount Brookeborough

Two further carriages followed carrying Professor Kader Asmal, Minister for Education, Mrs Asmal, Ms. Thoko Didiza, Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs and the Honourable Mary Morrison. The last carriage carried Mr Ngconde Balfour, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Mr. Essop Pahad, Minister in The President's Office, Mrs Pahad, and Mrs Ann Grant, High Commissioner at Pretoria.

The Ascot Landaus were followed by the Fourth Division of the Sovereign's Escort and finally by the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery with six gun carriages thundering up the hill, dust flying in the distance!

The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery

The event was indeed a great spectacle and we heartily recommend it to anyone with an eye for such things. June 6th 2002 sees the Jubilee of The Queen's Accession to the Throne. (1952-2002). You can be sure that the event will be celebrated with every bit as much celebration, pomp and ceremony throughout that month not just in Windsor but in London and around the country. You would be very welcome!

State Visit of Thabo Mbeki - Chapter One

Views of the rehearsal at dawn the previous day

A Profile of Thabo Mbeki

South Africa Information Web Site

Queen's Jubilee Celebrations - be here in 2002!


The Royal Windsor Web Site will report all events such as these and provide a permanent record together with references to the background of such events wherever possible. Any information or additional material about Windsor is always welcomed and acknowledged. Copies of photographs or texts can be emailed to the Editor, The Royal Windsor Web Site


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