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THE STATES assembled on Friday, 13th July 2001 at 10.10 a.m. under
the Presidency of the Deputy Bailiff , Michael Cameron St. John Birt, Esquire in order to receive Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
All members were present with the exception of -
R o bert Lester Le Brocq, Connétable of St. Helier - absent excusé
F r ederick John Hill, B.E.M., Deputy of St. Martin - out of the Island T e rence John Le Main, Deputy of St. Helier - out of the Island
A l an Simon Crowcroft , Deputy of St. Helier - out of the Island.
Prayers
The Deputy Bailiff , H.M. Attorney General, H.M. Solicitor General, the Dean, the Greffier of the States, the Deputy Greffier and the Assistant Greffier were present.
THE STATES adjourned.
The States reconvened, and the Connétable of St. Helier was present.
Her Majesty The Queen, escorted by the Bailiff , and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, escorted by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, and preceded by the Bailiff 's Flag, the Seal and the Mace, entered the area of the Howard Davis Park designated as the States' Chamber for the purpose of this meeting, and took their seats on the dais.
The Right Honorable The Lord Irvine of Lairg, The Lord Chancellor, Lady Bailhache , Lady Cheshire, Sir Robin Janvrin, K.C.V.O., C.B., Diana, Lady Farnham , C.V.O., Brigadier Miles Hunt-Davis, C.V.O., C.B.E., Squadron Leader Simon Brailsford and Major James Duckworth-Chad were in attendance.
The Bailiff in the name of the States and the People of the Island of Jersey, presented a Loyal Address of Welcome in the following terms -
"To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty The Loyal and Dutiful Address
of the Assembly of the States of Jersey
W e, Your Majesty's faithful subjects here assembled, bid a warm welcome, on behalf of the people of the
Island, as well as on our own behalf, to Your Majesty and to His Royal Highness The Prince Philip. We are deeply appreciative that, in the midst of a multitude of Royal duties and ceremonies, you should have agreed to honour us by attending this special meeting of the States.
I t is not often that the States assembles outside its own debating Chamber but this splendid park, the gift of
T.B. Davis, one of the Island's greatest benefactors, does have a Royal connexion. T.B. Davis was a keen yachtsman who, in the early years of the last century, raced frequently with Your Majesty's grandfather, King George V, whose statue you passed a few moments ago. Assembling in Howard Davis Park has the added advantage of allowing many more Islanders to witness the delivery of this Loyal Address and to see in person The Queen not only of the United Kingdom but also of her other realms and territories which include the Bailiwick of Jersey.
T h is Assembly may not be the oldest legislature to have emerged under the patronage and protection of Your
Royal Predecessors but it is nonetheless one with a long and colourful history. Its origins can be traced back to the 15th century when the Bailiff and Jurats began to consult with representatives of the 12 parishes before petitioning the Crown for changes to the law. From that process of consultation the States Assembly, in a gradual and organic way, evolved to become the democratically elected body representing the Island's people. Although playing no part in the political process, Your Majesty's officers continue to be members of the Assembly, testifying to the ancient connexion between the Bailiwick and the Crown. By one of the ironies of history our isolation during the grim period of occupation, which ended with our liberation by the forces of the Crown on 9th May 1945, led to an increased vitality and self-reliance. Now, half a century later, we rejoice in our virtual autonomy under the protection of the Crown.
N ext year Islanders will join with millions of Your Majesty's subjects in celebrating your Golden Jubilee and
in 2003 the 50th anniversary of your Coronation. The following year, 2004, may not perhaps strike a resonant note in the United Kingdom but for Channel Islanders, as Your Majesty knows, that year marks the 800th anniversary of the emergence of our unique constitutional status which flowed from the loss of Normandy. In 1204 our ancestors pledged their loyalty to King John, whom they continued to regard as the lawful Duke of Normandy, and were rewarded with privileges and liberties which endure to this day. In 1204 the seedlings of our autonomy were planted; and they have been nurtured down the centuries by Royal protection and by the resilience and independence of spirit of this Island race. Islanders are proud of their customs and traditions but, despite the ceremony of homage from the Seigneurs which will follow, we can assure Your Majesty that Jersey is no longer a feudal society. Evolutionary change has been a hallmark of our development into an open and vibrant democracy.
O ne thing however has remained constant during these 800 years, even through the turmoil of the English
Civil War and in the face of enemy invasions of our territory, and that is the loyalty felt by Islanders towards the person of the Monarch. That loyalty burns as brightly now as it did in mediaeval times. For the people of Jersey Your Majesty is a symbol, in this rapidly changing and uncertain world, of the order and stability that we all crave. Members of the States rejoice in this opportunity of expressing the deep affection, loyalty and respect of all the people of Jersey towards Your Majesty and Your Majesty's Royal House."
Her Majesty was graciously please to reply as follows -
" T he States of Jersey
I t hank you and the States and people of Jersey for the warmth of the welcome to me and to Prince Philip and
for the assurances of your devotion, loyalty and allegiance to the Crown.
I t gives me great pleasure to visit Jersey again as you approach the eight hundredth anniversary of your very
special relationship to the Crown. I pay tribute to the way in which the States and people of Jersey continue to look for ways of adapting to the opportunities and challenges of the Twenty-first Century. I send my good wishes to you all.
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God will attend all your deliberations for the benefit and prosperity of
this Island."
Elizabeth R.
THE STATES then adjourned.
The Homage Ceremony then took place, at the conclusion of which Her Majesty The Queen unveiled a monolith commemorating her visit.
C.M. NEWCOMBE Greffier of the States.