Queen Elizabeth addresses the Virginia General Assembly

by Hugh Lessig

Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) (MCT)

4 May 2007

RICHMOND, Va. - Queen Elizabeth II said Thursday that the true legacy of Jamestown is the enduring friendship it formed between two countries, but it is wise to re-examine its profound impact on relations between the races.

“Human progress rarely comes without cost,” she told members of the General Assembly.

Her speech at the State Capitol kicked off a two-day tour of Virginia to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. It concludes Friday in the Historic Triangle.

The queen visited Virginia 50 years ago to mark the 350th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. At that time, the state lived under the shadow of segregation, and the celebration stressed the sacrifice of settlers and the spread of the English language.

“These remain great attributes and we still appreciate their impact today,” she said. “But 50 years on, we are now in a position to reflect more candidly on the Jamestown legacy.”

She noted that this year marks the 200th anniversary of a signature event in her country: the abolition of the Transatlantic slave trade.

“It is right that we continue to reassess the meaning of historical events in the changing context of the present,” she said. “But such reassessments should not obscure the one enduring consequence of Jamestown. This 400th anniversary marks a moment to recognize a deep friendship which exists between our two countries.”

Her remarks were well received. In fact, since Virginians have no history of serving under monarchs, they decided to treat her like a rock star.

Between 8,000 and 10,000 people crowded into Capitol Square to catch a glimpse of her in a grayish suit and pink hat. Every wave of her gloved hand brought applause.

Native Americans played a significant and colorful role in the welcome. The queen was greeted by the chiefs from the eight Virginia Indian tribes, who wore their full regalia. Her appearance in the House of Delegates was greeted with a thunderous roar from 140 state lawmakers, many of whom banged their desks in enthusiasm.

Jayne Ardy, a British woman who lives in Richmond, wore a large red crown to the event. She said while some Americans probably think the queen is “a little stuck up, but she has maintained dignity throughout her tenure.”

After the queen finished her speech, she descended the steps and received a flower one of many given to her by well-wishers from Madison Odallo of Hampton, Va., the 4-year-old niece of state Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton.

Then she met privately with students, faculty and administrators from Virginia Tech, including some who were wounded during the April 16 mass shooting.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, who escorted the queen throughout the day, said she was “very inquisitive.” One injured student is an English citizen who was born in Kenya.

“She talked to those students for quite a while,” Kaine said, “asking how they were doing and how the mood was on campus.”

The day began as sightseers and invited guests lined up outside Capitol Square to see the queen and hear a series of musicians. Among the invitees were members of the Phoebus High School football team, which won another state title last year.

Coach Bill Dee said he wasn’t sure what he would say to the queen. But he’d brushed up on his etiquette. “She’s her majesty and he (Prince Philip) is his highness,” he said. “We got that down.”

And did he realize that when the queen puts down her fork everyone else should, too?

“Not over here we don’t,” he said with a laugh.

Long after the crowds had left, a smiling Kaine left the Executive Mansion to chat with reporters. He said the queen’s reference to reassessing Jamestown was well put.

“I was very touched by that sentiment,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Kaine noted that Virginia’s 350th anniversary celebration of Jamestown was hobbled by segregation.

“We didn’t fully celebrate it. We didn’t tell everybody’s story. We didn’t include everyone,” he said. “We didn’t honor all the accomplishments. We didn’t acknowledge that the progress came at a cost and there was huge pain along the way.”