Jun 01 - Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire Gibraltar Association Attends Service Of Dedication At St Paul's Cathedral
On Wednesday 24th May members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Gibraltar Association attended a Service of Dedication at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Order.
A group of approximately 30 members represented the Association in a packed cathedral. The Service was presided by The Sovereign and Prince Philip, Grand Master of the Order. Sir Robert Fulton KBE, King of Arms of the Order, and Lt Col Mike Vernon, Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Order of Knighthood, assisted.
Members of the Association were seated on the left hand side of the cathedral, they were given preferential seats at the very front, with several members sitting front row. The Australian Association were seated on the right hand side.
The Service was conducted the Dean and by the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and included, as well as the cathedral choir and organ, the band of HM Royal Marines, the State Trumpeters of The Household Cavalry, and the Trumpeters of the Royal Marines. Stedman Cinques were rung by the St Paul's Cathedral Guild of Ringers before and after the Service.
In attendance were the Knights and Dames Grand Cross, the Lord Mayor bearing the Pearl Sword, the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, and the Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard.
Following the Service the members of the Association present visited the Chapel of the Order and viewed the new window marking the 100th Anniversary. They then proceeded to the Army and Navy Club at Pall Mall where the Association had arranged a lunch, they were joined by Sir Robert, himself a member of the Gibraltar Association, and Lt Col Mike Vernon. Both will be visiting Gibraltar in September for the Association's own Service of Dedication at The King's Chapel. During the Service Sir Robert, in his capacity as King of Arms, will dedicate the restored gates of the Chapel which has been funded by members of the Association. It will be the first time Sir Robert returns to Gibraltar since completing his term as Governor.
The previous day some members were invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace during which the wife of the chairman of the Association had the opportunity to brief Princess Camilla on the short history of the Association.
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