Queen Elizabeth II is probably the most well-traveled monarch. She has been to 116 countries on official visits, but not once to Greece even though her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, claims to be a “Greek Prince.” The reason could be the fact that the monarchy was overthrown in Greece affecting Prince Philip’s immediate family. In fact, Prince Andrew, Philip’s father was put on trial and may have been executed had the family not fled. Later, the monarchy was abolished and King Constantine was ousted.
Despite Queen Elizabeth’s refusal to set foot on Greek soil, she pointed out that division in Europe was “dangerous” in her speech at a state Banquet in Berlin, attended by David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Her Majesty emphasised Britain’s “key part” in the shaping of the Continent.
Though politically neutral, her speech came amid a growing crisis at the heart of the EU and can be interpreted political though the Palace insists it was a reference to Europe as a continent.
Here’s what she said:
“The United Kingdom has always been closely involved in its Continent. Even when our main focus was elsewhere in the world, our people played a key part in Europe.
In our lives, we have seen the worst but also the best of our Continent. We have witnessed how quickly things can change for the better. But we know that we must work hard to maintain the benefits of the post-war world.
We know that division in Europe is dangerous and that we must guard against it in the West as well as in the East of our continent. That remains a common endeavour.”
She turned to Britain’s friendship with Germany that she said was the most powerful member of the EU. She said that since the war, the UK “has determined to number among Germany’s very strongest friends in Europe… Britain and Germany have achieved so much by working together. I have every confidence that we will continue to do so in the years ahead.”
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