Royal representative credits Devon's 'warmth' to Queen's 'affinity' with county
Her Majesty visited Devon several times during her 70-year reign
David Fursdon, Lord Lieutenant for Devon
Author: Ollie Heptinstall, Local Democracy Reporting ServicePublished 13th Sep 2022 Last updated 13th Sep 2022
The Queen felt an affinity with Devon thanks to the “warmth” of the welcome she received on her visits, her representative in the county has said.
Lord lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon, met the UK’s longest-serving monarch on numerous occasions as part of his role, which he was appointed to in 2015.
Her Majesty visited the county several times during her 70-year reign, the first of which was in 1952 when she came to the Royal Agricultural Show at Stover near Newton Abbot.
Her other visits included a number of appearances in Exeter and Plymouth, as well as tours of Barnstaple and Torbay.
“She felt affinity resulting from the warmth of the welcome that she received. Whether that was in urban parts of the county or rural parts of the county, of course she was equally happy in either of those settings,” Mr Fursdon said.
But Dartmouth’s Royal Naval College is likely to have held the most significance to Her Majesty. It was there in 1939 that she properly met her future husband Prince Philip for the first time. The couple returned to the town on a number of occasions.
It led to an interest from the Queen in the navy and for the armed services in general, the lord lieutenant said, adding: “Devon has always been an important home for units of the armed forces, so she felt an affinity with that.”
Mr Fursdon now becomes the king’s representative and has spoken highly of his experiences with the former Duke of Cornwall during his annual visits to the county.
Describing them as “really enjoyable,” the lord lieutenant said: “We had great fun with him. We normally had two or three visits in a day.
“He was incredibly professional. He loved the public and if they were visits where the public were involved, he would spend as much time talking to the public as he would on the place that we were visiting.
“He was just easy to work with and fun actually. He always had a twinkle.”
Asked how the new queen consort Camilla will adjust to her new duties, Mr Fursdon added: “I think she’s had enough practice. She’s now been doing it for a lot of years and she has always accompanied (the former Duke of Cornwall, now King Charles) on the visits to Devon.”
“So, she’s got a lot of experience of public-facing engagements. She will be incredibly supportive to him and she will leave him in the limelight and will be there supporting him in that role.”
Queen Elizabeth II's finest moments
The Coronation
On June 2nd 1953, Princess Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 27. The coronation was the first to be broadcasted on national television and made for a national occasion of celebration. The televised event was watched by over 8 million households as well as the 8,000 VIP guests that were in attendance at Westminster Abbey to witness the start of the Queen's reign.
Royal representative credits Devon's 'warmth' to Queen's 'affinity' with county
2 of 9
Her reaction to Lady Diana's death
Though the royal family - and The Queen in particular - were initially criticised for their reaction to Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997, the Queen later bowed to her coffin and said in a touching televised tribute to her, "She never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys."
The Coronation
On June 2nd 1953, Princess Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 27. The coronation was the first to be broadcasted on national television and made for a national occasion of celebration. The televised event was watched by over 8 million households as well as the 8,000 VIP guests that were in attendance at Westminster Abbey to witness the start of the Queen's reign.
Whenever we see her with her beloved Corgis
"My corgis are family," the Queen has said in the past. The Queen's love of Corgis dates back to when she was just 7-years-old. It was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Dookie that her father, King George VI, brought home. She fell in love with the breed so much that she got many more corgis including Jane and Susan who even joined the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on their honeymoon!
Her marriage to Prince Philip
A young Princess Elizabeth first met her husband-to-be Prince Philip at the age of 8 at the wedding of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark to Prince George, Duke of Kent. Little did she know then that she would one day marry Duke Philip Mountbatten on 20th November 1947 at Westminster Abbey when she was 21.
Every fashion moment
Over the years, the Queen has got herself to the top of many best dressed lists and is a fashion icon in her own right. From her bright, block colour outfits to her enviable collection of stylish handbags, the Queen always looks the part, whatever the occasion.
When she became the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services
As Princess Elizabeth, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1945 becoming the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time active member. In this role she learnt to drive and maintain vehicles. Since then, The Queen has maintained a close relationship with the Armed Forces.
Everytime we see her with her grandchildren
With four children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, the Queen is a very proud grandma. Can you name them all? There's Peter, Zara, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, James, Viscount Severn, Savannah Phillips, Isla Phillips, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, Mia Tindall and Lena Tindall, Lucas Tindall and August Brooksbank.
Her wicked sense of humour
Many who know the Queen personally have commented on the monarch's razor sharp wit and good humour. Biographer Karen Dolby even wrote a whole book of hilarious Elizabeth-isms, which you can buy here, and she's almost always giggling in photos.
The celebration of her Jubilees
Not many monarchs get to say they've celebrated their Jubilee, but Queen Elizabeth II has got a Silver, Golden and Diamond under her belt. Such is Britain's affection for Her Maj, Jubilees are cause for huge celebration up and down the country, bringing neighbours together for street parties.
Her reaction to Lady Diana's death
Though the royal family - and The Queen in particular - were initially criticised for their reaction to Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997, the Queen later bowed to her coffin and said in a touching televised tribute to her, "She never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys."
The Coronation
On June 2nd 1953, Princess Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 27. The coronation was the first to be broadcasted on national television and made for a national occasion of celebration. The televised event was watched by over 8 million households as well as the 8,000 VIP guests that were in attendance at Westminster Abbey to witness the start of the Queen's reign.
Whenever we see her with her beloved Corgis
"My corgis are family," the Queen has said in the past. The Queen's love of Corgis dates back to when she was just 7-years-old. It was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Dookie that her father, King George VI, brought home. She fell in love with the breed so much that she got many more corgis including Jane and Susan who even joined the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on their honeymoon!
Her marriage to Prince Philip
A young Princess Elizabeth first met her husband-to-be Prince Philip at the age of 8 at the wedding of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark to Prince George, Duke of Kent. Little did she know then that she would one day marry Duke Philip Mountbatten on 20th November 1947 at Westminster Abbey when she was 21.
Every fashion moment
Over the years, the Queen has got herself to the top of many best dressed lists and is a fashion icon in her own right. From her bright, block colour outfits to her enviable collection of stylish handbags, the Queen always looks the part, whatever the occasion.
When she became the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services
As Princess Elizabeth, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1945 becoming the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time active member. In this role she learnt to drive and maintain vehicles. Since then, The Queen has maintained a close relationship with the Armed Forces.
Everytime we see her with her grandchildren
With four children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, the Queen is a very proud grandma. Can you name them all? There's Peter, Zara, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, James, Viscount Severn, Savannah Phillips, Isla Phillips, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, Mia Tindall and Lena Tindall, Lucas Tindall and August Brooksbank.
Her wicked sense of humour
Many who know the Queen personally have commented on the monarch's razor sharp wit and good humour. Biographer Karen Dolby even wrote a whole book of hilarious Elizabeth-isms, which you can buy here, and she's almost always giggling in photos.
The celebration of her Jubilees
Not many monarchs get to say they've celebrated their Jubilee, but Queen Elizabeth II has got a Silver, Golden and Diamond under her belt. Such is Britain's affection for Her Maj, Jubilees are cause for huge celebration up and down the country, bringing neighbours together for street parties.
Her reaction to Lady Diana's death
Though the royal family - and The Queen in particular - were initially criticised for their reaction to Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997, the Queen later bowed to her coffin and said in a touching televised tribute to her, "She never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys."
