Fragrant Queen takes in Christ Church
With all the patriotic flag-waving and high profile security that comes with a royal visit, the Queen came to Oxford last Friday to open a garden in memory of her late sister. The garden, situated in the University’s Rothermere American Institute, was a tribute to Princess Margaret and inspired by her love of classical gardens. Whilst in Oxford, the Queen opened the Castle complex, before having lunch in Christ Church. JCR President Will Dorsey sat opposite Her Royal Highness.
He said, “It was very exciting, I sat there and I didn’t really say much. She smelt like roses and Earl Grey, and looked pretty in pink.” He added, “It was a wonderful occasion, and the Queen loved Christ Church.” The Queen also met the Dean, the Very Rev Christopher Lewis, and Evan Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, along with a number of students. A college spokesperson said, “It all went fine. I am sure she enjoyed herself.
Eighty police officers were involved in managing the crowds and escorting Her Majesty from the garden to College. Superintendent Jim Trotman said, “The visit of her majesty the Queen in her 80th year was always going to be a high profile event. It was a great success.” Huw Walters, a PPP student and Christ Church Food Rep who helped to organize the event, said, “Everything went really well, there was a big turnout and the Queen appeared to be having a nice time”.
But it was the garden dedicated to her sister that was the highlight of a poignant day for the Queen. Princess Margaret was particularly fond of Oxford during her life and was a frequent visitor of friends living in the city. As the Queen toured the site, a rendition of “A Nightingale Sang” was played, one of her sister’s favourite pieces. Director of the American Institute, Dr Paul Giles, said, “The Queen and Princess Margaret’s children walked around the garden.
It was a short visit but I think she was impressed.” Lord Rothermere, the benefactor of the Institute, led the Queen around the garden which he described as a “tribute” to her sister’s role in promoting Anglo-American relations. He said, “Her annual visits to America spanned over 40 years and stretched from coast to coast in support of our heritage, but particularly the Royal Opera House and the Royal Ballet.
Giles described the garden as a “fitting memorial” to the Princess with its simple yet formal design. The garden will be open to staff, visitors and fellows of the RAI and Mansfield College, and will be opened to the public on certain dates of the year. The garden imitates an ancient Roman garden, raised above the lawn with two flights of steps leading to it. On either side of the steps stand stone plinths with bronze finials on top of them, shaped in the form of pineapples.
Two rectangular pools of water lead to a cherry tree, Princess Margaret’s favourite plant, planted in the middle of the garden. In addition, a sundial in the garden has been equipped with a carefully calculated line to represent the birthday of the late Princess, August 21st. At the end of her visit, the Queen was presented with a posy and a garden plan by Lord Rothermere’s two daughters, Eleanor and Theodora.
11th May 2006