The Speaker of the House of Commons played host to Her Royal
Highness The Princess Royal during a special Beating Retreat
ceremony to commemorate the 40th anniversary of
the Falkland Islands conflict.
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines marched through two
arches from New Palace Yard to perform a spectacular pageant of
music ahead of a reception held for veterans in Speaker’s House.
The Princess Royal took the Salute before she was introduced to
Major General Thompson, CB, OBE, a former Royal
Marines officer who commanded 3 Commando Brigade during the
conflict.
Commons Speaker said the evening had been a
‘magnificent tribute to the veterans, their families and those
who perished in the campaign to liberate this important British
Overseas Territory.’
‘Winning the conflict not only demonstrated the bravery and skill
of our Armed Forces, but it also proved to the Falkland Islanders
that they – and their right to self-determination – were
paramount in our thoughts, despite the thousands of miles that
divided us,’ he said.
‘And, having returned last week from my second visit to the
Falklands – this time to commemorate the liberation of Goose
Green – I know how grateful the islanders are still for the
sacrifices that were made for their freedom.’
Some 255 British service personnel were killed and 775 wounded
during the conflict, which began when the islands were invaded by
Argentina on 2 April 1982 and ended 11-weeks later.
During the crisis, the House of Commons held six Falklands
debates, which were chaired in their entirety by then Speaker
George Thomas.
The Beating Retreat event was organised by MPs and , chairmen of the All-Party
Parliamentary Groups for the Armed Forces and the Falkland
Islands – and attended by the Prime Minister, .
Two 105mm Light Guns that fired in anger during the conflict in
support of British ground troops were placed either side of the
front door to Speaker’s House.
These guns are now used by the Honourable Artillery Company for
firing Gun Salutes at the Tower of London – for both Royal and
State occasions, including the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty’s
accession to the throne, the recent State Opening of Parliament
and Trooping the Colour last week to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum
Jubilee.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The significance of the House of Commons chamber for informing
the world of the British government’s intentions began with a
rare Saturday sitting on 3 April 1982.
The near three-hour debate, beginning just after 11am, was
broadcast live by radio and began with Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher’s announcement that a taskforce would be formed to sail
8,000 miles to the South Atlantic to claim back the islands and
to return them to British administration.
