Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh Visit The Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS)
On Friday 9th November 2007, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Royal College of Defence Studies.
The Royal Party were met on arrival by The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Carolyn Keen, and the Director Defence Academy, Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely KCB MC who in turn presented: The Commandant RCDS, Admiral Sir Ian Garnett KCB and College Secretary Commander Andrew Gordon Lennox, together with their wives.
After a short brief by the Commandant to update the Royal Visitors on changes in the College since their previous visits, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness conducted a walkabout of Seaford House during which a representative number of past Commandants, Course Secretaries of previous courses and all of the present Course of 2007 with some of their families were presented in groups. Discussion on various topics was held with the groups, in particular the recent RCDS Overseas Tours, the UK regional visits, the Commonwealth and the merit of the optional MA programme.
Her Majesty Greeting Lt Gen Sir John Kiszely, Director, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom Her Majesty being presented with flowers by Micaela Drago Her Majesty and Admiral Sir Ian Garnett, Commandant, RCDS Duke of Edinburgh meeting the Member from Brunei
Later in the programme, groups of the College Support Staff were presented, and her Majesty received a bouquet from Micaela Drago, (aged 4), the daughter of the Chilean Member of the 2007 Course. Finally the Royal Visitors joined a group of Senior Staff for a group photograph.
Her Majesty has visited the College on many occasions during her reign, often accompanied by HRH, the last visit being in 2002. All Members and Staff thoroughly enjoyed this latest visit; which marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of the College under its original title: The Imperial Defence College, more usually known as the IDC.