The Queen didn't seem too perturbed when some unwelcome visitors threw one of her engagements into chaos yesterday. In fact, the British monarch couldn't hold back her smiles as a swarm of bees swooped down to share her review of the Grenadier Guards at Windsor.
Fortunately the Regiment's colonel - Prince Philip - was on hand to protect his wife from the airborne interlopers. Dressed in full dress uniform complete with bearskin, the Prince kept watch as royal beekeeper Peter Sheppard stepped in to intercept the anarchic arrivals.
Perhaps it was because her visitors were also, in their own way royal, that the Queen was so understanding. The entourage of several thousand honey producers had, after all, only come along to attend to their own monarch. According to experts, the swarm was following their queen to establish a new nest. The process takes place every April or May and is a normal part of bees' life-cycle.
Unfortunately, however, they chose one of the chairs on the parade ground as their new home, and promptly set about taking up residence. Not being well-versed in royal protocol, the entire entourage decided to share one seat, making it easy for royal beekeeping forces to take control.
"The queen bee had left her hive and was looking for a new place to stay," reported Mr Sheppard afterwards. "She found a chair and took her attendants with her."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
