Britain’s Queen Elizabeth was pretty in pink at the 2009 Epsom Derby on June 6, 2009. The monarch, accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, was in good spirits in spite of the rainy weather. Even her umbrella was trimmed in pink to match her coat and hat.

The Queen attended the Derby, a highlight of the British horse racing year, with high hopes for her horse, History Lesson. The horse finished fifth in its race.

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A casually-dressed Queen Elizabeth attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Windsor Great Park this weekend.

The Queen, who is known for her keen interest in horses, watched one of her own, Balmoral Morland, win first place in class. She also enjoyed a walk around the shops, which featured various merchandise such as saddles and beer.

I wonder if she tried the show’s official beer?

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Queen Elizabeth attended the opening of Europe’s largest tanker terminal for liquefied natural gas on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, performed the official inauguration.

The South Hook Terminal, located in Milford Haven in Wales, is a joint project of three gas companies based in three countries: Exxon Mobil (U.S.), Qatar Petroleum (Qatar) and Total (France).

The emir’s wife Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned was also present, as was Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, who accompanied Queen Elizabeth.

More photos below, including a lovely one of Her Majesty The Queen!

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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the Maundy Service at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral in Suffolk on April 9, 2009. The royal couple greeted well-wishers, and gave out the traditional Maundy Money to 83 women and 83 men, representing The Queen’s 83 years. Queen Elizabeth’s wore a lovely blue outfit and hat for the event.

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I don’t know of any other lady who wears hats as prettily as Queen Elizabeth does. So today’s focus for Royal Fashion Friday is just that. Let’s take a look at some of the hats that the Queen has worn in the past year. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts about each topper.

Queen Elizabeth wore this trim little red hat at the final day of the Cheltenham Festival in March 2009. The almost-non-existent brim afforded the regal monarch an unhindered view of the races that day.

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Was it a breach of protocol or not?

Such is the question that was tossed around right after the meeting between the Obamas and the British royals.

Royal protocol traditionally dictates that Queen Elizabeth is not to be touched, beyond a polite handshake. As you’ll see in this video, The Queen and U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama shared more than a handshake.

It’s not shown in this footage, but some reports say that The Queen touched Ms. Obama first, and that makes the hug acceptable. We can see, though that the Queen was the first to step away.

Whoever touched who first, Buckingham Palace has released a statement saying that there was no breach of protocol, because it was a “mutual and spontaneous display of affection and appreciation between the Queen and Michelle Obama” during an informal occasion.

Queen Elizabeth with G20 world leaders at Buckingham Palace on April 1, 2009.

Today was a busy day of meeting world leaders for Queen Elizabeth and the senior British royals.

Various dignitaries from all over the world converged on Buckingham Palace to attend a reception ahead of the official opening of the G20 meetings in London tomorrow. Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall shared the hosting duties and happily mingled with their guests.

Among the visiting leaders and their spouses are U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, China’s President Hu Jintao, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Argentina’s President Cristina Ferandez de Kirchner. Also present were British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Prince Charles is expected to speak during the G20 meetings to address global climate issues.

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President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were warmly welcomed to Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

The audience today, April 1, 2009, was held ahead of the G20 summit in London. Scores of world leaders will be meeting starting tomorrow to address global issues.

As is part of protocol when leaders meet, an exchange of gifts occurred at the Palace. President Obama presented the Queen with an iPod, which included photos and videos of her trip to the U.S. in 2007, and a rare book of songs by composers Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth gave her customary signed photograph in a silver frame.

via: NYTimes; Image: INF

Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Queen Elizabeth at the state banquet in Buckingham Palace on March 31, 2009.

Queen Elizabeth welcomed Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon to Buckingham Palace this week.

President Calderon is in London for a four-day state visit, which coincides with the G20 summit on April 2, 2009. He arrived on March 30, accompanied by his wife Senora Margarita Zavala. The visit included a ceremonial welcome and a tour of the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace to showcase Mexican items from the Royal Collection.

The dignitaries were honored in a state banquet on March 31. During his speech, President Calderon praised the British monarch’s “composure and wisdom”. The Queen presented him with a copy of George Orwell’s classic novel ‘1984′ and framed photographs of herself and Prince Philip.

Royal Jewels on Display: Queen Elizabeth wore a set of a necklace and earrings with aquamarines and diamonds, which were a coronation gift from the people of Brazil in 1953. The matching tiara was commissioned by her in 1957.

via: Wikipedia, M&C; Image: Newscom

Queen Elizabeth meets Ian Woods, who served in the Royal Air Force, at the new British Legion Headquarters on February 27, 2009.

Queen Elizabeth officially opened the new headquarters of the Royal British Legion on Februrary 27, 2009. The new building is called Haig House, and is located in Borough, South London.

The British Legion has supported ex-servicemen and their families since 1921. It is most famous for the annual fundraiser, Poppy Appeal. During her visit, the Queen also met British military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among them was Ian Woods, a former senior aircraftsman with the Royal Air Force.

Image: Newscom