The Queen recently made a record with her amusing and insistent decision to cut a large cake using nothing but an upside-down ceremonial sword.
Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor II attended The Eden Project’s The Big Lunch project last June 11 with Kate Middleton and Duchess Camilla during the G7 Summit on Friday, where she was presented with a ceremonial sword from the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall.
The weapon was so attractive that the queen had insisted on using it to cut the event’s festive cake.
The Queen was invited to cut a large cake and it brought smiles and laughter to the Eden Project in Cornwall through her “unusual” cake-cutting methods.
The 95-year-old ignored the knife she was offered in favor of a ceremonial sword lent to her by The Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Edward Bolitho as she cut a cake at the event.
“I don’t think this is going to work, do you think two hands?” Queen Elizabeth II said as per a video ABC tweeted.
Although she was told by an aide that a typical knife was available for use, the Queen replied: “I know there is, this is more unusual”.
“That slicing’s strange,” Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said.
Camilla then helped the Queen cut the cake.
“That looks very good,” the Queen added before handing the sword back to a guard.
The display of wit from the Queen was met with laughs from those around her, including the Duchess of Cambridge who looked amused as the monarch began cutting into the sponge.
The sword was so large she had to grip it with both hands to slice through the icing. Camilla assisted her in cutting through the final part of the cake.
Patrick Stewart, executive director of the Eden Project, an educational charity and eco-destination in Cornwall, said of the royals’ visit: “It is like comets — they don’t come around very often”.
The Big Lunch is an annual gathering of neighbors and communities at the Eden Project, where people are encouraged to get to know one another while sharing food and building friendships. It was launched in 2009 with The Duchess of Cornwall is a patron of the event and is supported by the National Lottery.
Following a video call with the queen, Prince Charles addressed the G7 leaders about his Sustainable Markets Initiative, which aims to involve business and private sector investment in government efforts to combat climate change.
“The fight against this terrible pandemic provides if ever one was needed, a crystal-clear example of the scale, and sheer speed, at which the global community can tackle crisis when we combine political will with business ingenuity and public mobilization,” Prince Charles said.
On Friday evening, the three senior royal women participated in the reception with volunteers organizing next year’s Platinum Jubilee, marking the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, according to People Magazine.
National events at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee include a live concert featuring the world’s biggest stars and a day at the races, according to The Guardian.
Queen Elizabeth also met US President Joe Biden and his First Lady, Jill, at Windsor Castle on Friday under the canopy of the world’s largest indoor rainforest as she hosted a reception for leaders of the Group of Seven richest nations.
The 95-year-old monarch was joined by the other senior members of the British royal family, with son and heir Prince Charles and his wife Camilla and grandson Prince William and his wife Kate is also present.
It was their first major public event together since the funeral in April of Prince Philip, the queen’s husband of more than seven decades.