President with Queen
British Queen held a halal state banquet at Buckingham Palace for Turkish President Abdullah Gul tonight and promised British backing for his country’s bid to join the European Union. She celebrated ever-closer political and economic ties between the two nations, despite concerns over allowing the predominantly Asian and Muslim country into the EU.
“We have come through a great deal together to develop what is, today, a very modern partnership,” she said. “In Europe, the British Government remains committed to working with you to secure your place in the European Union.”.
The 85-year-old monarch and 170 British and Turkish guests sat down to a completely halal state banquet of lamb from the royal estate at Windsor in the palace ballroom.
“It’s a matter of politeness that it’s halal. The President and his wife are guests of the Queen. We wouldn’t do a separate menu for them so everyone eats the same,” a palace spokeswoman said.
We have come through a great deal together to develop what is, today, a very modern partnership
The Queen
Meat used at similar banquets for the King of Saudi Arabia in 2007 and the Emir of Qatar last year were also slaughtered in a traditional Islamic way to ensure they too were halal.
Guests tonight were still offered a selection of fine wines, however.
Earlier in the day, Turkey’s First Lady, Hayrunnisa Gul, caught the eye, towering over the Queen and Prince Philip in stylish ankle boots with 6in platform heels. They matched her dove-grey outfit and trademark Islamic headscarf.
