Rome celebrates Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign

After three years of being closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Villa Wolkonsky reopened for a very important Queen’s Birthday Party, hosted by the newly appointed British Ambassador to Italy, Ed Llewellyn.

Following Tuesday’s celebrations in Naples, 2,000 guests and friends of Her Majesty’s Embassy in Italy, including many Britons and members of the international community, gathered at Villa Wolkonsky, surrounded by a Roman aqueduct and beautiful gardens in quintessential British style. The occasion was unique: celebrating the 70th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the only monarch to have reached this milestone in the history of the United Kingdom.

Ambassador Ed Llewellyn, in Italy since late February, hosted an exceptional QBP, declaring and renewing his desire to further strengthen the extraordinary ties that unite the United Kingdom and Italy. All under the banner of the values that our two countries share, and to which Queen Elizabeth II has borne unique witness during her 70-year reign.

The event provided an opportunity to focus on British and Italian culinary excellence and also featured the Queen’s favourite vintage cars, icons of British style on four wheels. Also present were the vintage cars that the Queen favours, icons of British style on four wheels: a 1952 Jaguar XType, a 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental and a 1934 Lagonda. Also on display in the Villa Wolkonsky gardens in the sign of sustainability and technological innovation was the all-new 100% electric Jaguar I Pace. Four friendly corgis – Letizia, Cupcake, Icecream and Sacher – Her Majesty’s favourite dogs, joined guests in the splendid gardens to make them feel at Buckingham Palace.

Greeting the guests was a jazz band composed of Italian and British musicians, a symbol of musical friendship between Italy and the United Kingdom, to the tunes of Her Majesty’s favourite artists.

A British military band, the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh in red-and-black uniform, and the ever-present bag-pipers accompanied the ceremonies and played the touching Highland Cathedral. Furthermore, a Sunset Ceremony – or Flag Lowering ceremony – and an unprecedented “Beat the Retreat” – the retreat that marks the end of the workday for British troops – paid tribute to Her Majesty, who is also head of the British Armed Forces, and to the values that the British Sovereign has always upheld and inspired at home and around the world.

After the Italian and British anthems sung by the UK Diplo Choir, the choir formed by Embassy staff, the evening ended with a splendid projection on the Roman aqueduct of Her Majesty’s Coronation Day and first official visit to Italy in 1961. The projection was accompanied by a musical performance by the Roma Tre Orchestra Ensemble, performing a repertoire of opera arias set in the UK. The soprano, Sofia Calenza, accompanied by Valerio Iannini, Federico Morbidelli, Maria Teresa De Sanio and Alessandro Guaitolini, took guests back in time to arias by Bellini and Donizetti. The performance concluded with fireworks in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

But the Rome QBP was much more than that. In a world of rapid and often overwhelming social change, Ambassador Llewellyn chose to shine a spotlight on the very important work carried out by charitable organisations working in the field of solidarity. Five organizations chosen for their attention to women, children and migrants, and the environment were represented: Save the Children Italia, SOS Children’s Villages Italia/International, Baobab Experience, Soroptimist International Italia, and Associazione Penelope.

The environment and sustainability were at the core of the event: its emissions will be “neutralised” through EMoby by purchasing green credits to offset CO2 emissions, and thanks to the virtuous behaviour by the Villa Wolkonsky staff who also obtained the ISO 20121 Certification for sustainable events.

The celebration honouring Her Majesty’s Birthday remains an occasion to commemorate the bilateral relationship between Italy and the United Kingdom in the fields of education, innovation, technology, culture, business and defence, to forge new partnerships and build a better world for future generations.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Rome QBP is part of the GREAT campaign: a series of events and initiatives promoted by the British diplomatic representation in Italy throughout the summer dedicated to diversity, sustainability, research, inclusion, music, film and culture.



British Embassy Asuncion celebrates Birthday Party and Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen

Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business people, civil society organisations, media representatives, academics, members of the British community in Paraguay, as well as members of the public associated with the Embassy were among the list of distinguished guests. The social gathering took place in Puerto Liebig.

The event was sponsored by British companies in Paraguay, as well as friendly companies that accompanied the celebration of The Queen’s Birthday. In this edition the companies Shopping China for the British brands Richmond Gin and White & McKay whisky; Wines and Spirits for the British brand Twinings; Berkemeyer Law Firm; De La Rue; Rosa del Este S.A.; Ferrere Law Firm; Shopping Británico; Atome Energy PLC in Paraguay; Law Firm Peroni, Sosa, Tellechea, Burt, & Narvaja; Casa Rica; De La Sobera; Fénix Insurance; Intertek; Mini; Proper Import; Anglo; and Jaguar Land Rover joined the event.

The Queen’s Birthday Party and Platinum Jubilee in Paraguay

On site, attendees enjoyed themed décor based on Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the UK and around the world, entertainment based on British culture, a selection of wines, and food by Talleyrand. Drinks made with British spirits, courtesy of the British Embassy collection and event sponsors, as well as imported British beer from Proper Import were also served.

As part of the entertainment, guests were provided with a games room and a photo booth with themed elements. Samples of iconic products such as the well-known Mini cars, as well as a generator with a phone charging station added to the commercial and industrial touch, a key element of the relationship between Paraguay and the UK. The event was completely carbon neutral, with the support of Impactive, a specialist zero emission venture.

Staff at the British Embassy in Asuncion

The decoration of the event was under the coordination of Mrs. Paola Victoria, with the support of Just Flowers. The main protagonist of the evening was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: photographs and other elements alluding to the monarch and her 70 years of service set the scene for the evening.



UK Government, UNODC support Paraguay against environmental crimes

World news story

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Paraguay’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES), with the financial support of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) of the United Kingdom, presented tools from the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) to fight environmental crimes.

Group photo of all event participants

Photo: UNODC

The UNODC’s Environment Team and MADES brought together more than 70 justice operators and law enforcement agents to establish a baseline regarding the State’s response to wildlife and forest crime. The event took place in the capital Asuncion last 17, 18 and 19 May 2022.

During the event, the ICCWC presented its Indicator Framework. Paraguay became the fifth country in the region to implement this self-assessment tool that allows authorities to identify their needs and strengths, as well as to establish a baseline to monitor progress in combating crimes that affect the environment, violate the legal system and intensify the loss of biodiversity.

Representatives of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, National Police, Supreme Court of Justice, National Administration of Navigation and Ports (ANNP), National Animal Health Service (SENACSA), Secretariat for the Prevention of Money Laundering (SEPRELAD), National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD), (MADES), among others, produced a participatory diagnosis of the State’s responses in the fight against wildlife and forest crime. This diagnosis and reports to follow will allow Paraguay to monitor progress and explore possible areas of cooperation with all stakeholders.

In the words of John Davie, Charge D’Affaires at British Embassy in Asuncion:

It is a priority in the national political agenda, and for the United Kingdom, to continue joining efforts in the fight against environmental crimes; in order to achieve the balance of the planet and the health of all people.

Published 10 June 2022



Homes England appoints first Chief Operating Officer

Kirsty will join the Government’s housing and regeneration agency in September and will work closely with CEO, Peter Denton, in delivering the mission of the agency.

Kirsty currently leads the customer and corporate functions of CQC, as well as having responsibility for a complex portfolio of policy, digital and organisational change.

Peter Denton, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:

Kirsty joins us at an exciting time for Homes England. The new COO role is crucial for us as we think about the next phase of the agency, and Kirsty’s experience of leading large-scale operations and complex transformation programmes across central government will help us to continue to strengthen our ability to deliver at pace.

We’re looking forward to welcoming Kirsty in September.

Kirsty will work closely with Peter and the Executive Leadership Team, ensuring that the agency is appropriately organised and structured to successfully deliver its objectives as it prepares to deliver the governments housing and regeneration ambitions.

Kirsty Shaw, COO of Care Quality Commission, said:

I’m delighted to be joining Homes England as its first COO and am looking forward to helping to build the skills and capabilities the agency needs to help it deliver the significant programme of building homes, unlocking land and helping to support the Government’s Levelling Up ambitions.

Published 10 June 2022
Last updated 13 June 2022 + show all updates

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Defence Secretary travels to Ukraine to meet President Zelenskyy

Press release

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace travelled to Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov to discuss Ukraine’s efforts to fight off Russia’s brutal and unjustified invasion.

The working visit took place this week to allow the Defence Secretary to hear first-hand how the operational needs of Ukraine’s Armed Forces are developing as the nature of the conflict continues to change. This will ensure that the UK’s continued support is evolving to meet those requirements and is tailored to the situation on the ground.

The Defence Secretary visited Minister Reznikov on the first of the two day visit, before speaking with President Zelenskyy about how the UK support will continue to meet Ukraine’s needs as the conflict enters a different phase.

The three agreed to work even more closely going forward in support of their shared goal of enabling Ukraine to liberate itself from illegal Russian occupation. They also discussed the range of equipment and training the UK is currently providing and what further support we can offer to help Ukrainian forces to defend their country.

The meetings focused on the UK continuing to provide operationally effective lethal aid that meets the current and future threats facing Ukraine and follows up on a number of other in person meetings. In March, Minister Reznikov visited the Ministry of Defence and in April a Ukrainian military and political delegation visited Salisbury Plain training area to discuss UK provision of lethal aid. These face to face meetings allow for in-depth discussions on what support is required to meet the requirements of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Britain was the first European country to send lethal aid to Ukraine and has since sent military aid worth more than £750 million, including thousands of anti-tank missiles, air defence systems and armoured vehicles. The UK has also played a key convening role in the international effort to supply weapons to Ukraine, most notably hosting the first two international donor conferences. The Defence Secretary will ensure the insights and future requirements established from this visit will be used to support the wider international response.

Following the new phase of the conflict in the Donbas, the UK recently announced it would gift M270 multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Ukrainian forces defend themselves from Russian long-range artillery, which has been used indiscriminately to devastate population centres.

Published 10 June 2022