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UK renames Antarctic land chunk after queen
Source: Agencies |
December 19, 2012, Wednesday
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BRITAIN has renamed a large chunk of icy waste in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Foreign Office announced yesterday that a 437,000-square kilometer section of the British Antarctic Territory has been renamed Queen Elizabeth Land to mark the monarch's 60 years on the throne.
The announcement was made as the 86-year-old queen visited the Foreign Office in London yesterday. It is the last official engagement of her Diamond Jubilee year.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said that "to be able to recognize the UK's commitment to Antarctica with a permanent association with Her Majesty is a great honor."
Queen Elizabeth Land, which is twice the size of the United Kingdom, covers about a third of the Antarctic territory claimed by Britain in 1908.
The territory has no permanent population but is home to three research stations run by the British Antarctic Survey.
Several other countries, including Norway and New Zealand, claim other parts of the uninhabited continent, which is regulated by an international treaty.
The queen also attended a Cabinet meeting yesterday, taking a seat between Prime Minister David Cameron and Hague to observe the weekly discussion of government business. Her visit is believed to be the first time a sitting monarch has attended a Cabinet meeting in at least 100 years.
Cabinet members presented her with a gift of 60 placemats in honor of her Diamond Jubilee.
The government said the queen attended yesterday's meeting as an observer - not as a contributor - in honor of her 60 years on the throne. But her visit has raised some eyebrows for appearing to blur the traditional line between government and monarchy.
As head of state, the queen performs some ceremonial and formal duties related to government but must remain neutral on political matters.
The Foreign Office announced yesterday that a 437,000-square kilometer section of the British Antarctic Territory has been renamed Queen Elizabeth Land to mark the monarch's 60 years on the throne.
The announcement was made as the 86-year-old queen visited the Foreign Office in London yesterday. It is the last official engagement of her Diamond Jubilee year.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said that "to be able to recognize the UK's commitment to Antarctica with a permanent association with Her Majesty is a great honor."
Queen Elizabeth Land, which is twice the size of the United Kingdom, covers about a third of the Antarctic territory claimed by Britain in 1908.
The territory has no permanent population but is home to three research stations run by the British Antarctic Survey.
Several other countries, including Norway and New Zealand, claim other parts of the uninhabited continent, which is regulated by an international treaty.
The queen also attended a Cabinet meeting yesterday, taking a seat between Prime Minister David Cameron and Hague to observe the weekly discussion of government business. Her visit is believed to be the first time a sitting monarch has attended a Cabinet meeting in at least 100 years.
Cabinet members presented her with a gift of 60 placemats in honor of her Diamond Jubilee.
The government said the queen attended yesterday's meeting as an observer - not as a contributor - in honor of her 60 years on the throne. But her visit has raised some eyebrows for appearing to blur the traditional line between government and monarchy.
As head of state, the queen performs some ceremonial and formal duties related to government but must remain neutral on political matters.
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