The Queen visits the new 'Eden Dock' at a Big Lunch in Canary Wharf
Published
The Queen, as Patron of The Big Lunch, has visited Canary Wharf to celebrate the partnership between the Eden Project and Canary Wharf Group to transform Middle Dock into ‘Eden Dock’- a vibrant, biodiverse space which hosts community events.
Arriving to music from a local community choir, London Docklands Singers, Her Majesty spoke to children from Mulberry Primary School, who were taking part in a nature inspired craft activity that encourages a connection with nature, devised and shared by Eden Project’s education team.
The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project which brings millions of people together each year in a nationwide act of community friendship.
Formed in 2009, the charity initiative has grown to become an annual UK celebration, feeding community spirit with 10 million taking part in 2024 of which 617,000 people volunteered their time to help organise. The Queen has been Patron of the scheme since 2013.
80% of people who take part in The Big Lunch say it has also helped them feel more connected to nature and the Eden Dock event showcases how people in their local community can meet through The Big Lunch, and connect with each other and nature - exploring the wellbeing benefits for people and the planet.
In recent years, The Big Jubilee Lunch and Coronation Big Lunch brought 30 million people together for community celebrations to mark these historic occasions.
Today's Big Lunch took place at 'Eden Dock', which enhances biodiversity and creates a place for connection between people and nature - a great example of best practice in curating an urban environment to benefit both people and the planet.
The Queen met finalists from The Big Lunch Recipe Search, before Her Majesty announced the competition winner as Melanie Booth. The competition has been formed to unearth sharable dishes to inspire the nation to cook and eat together on Big Lunch Weekend.
The Queen was shown a special cake which depicts the finalists’ dishes, encouraging the country to ‘tuck in’ at Big Lunch celebrations taking place on 7 and 8 June.
Seated alongside 40 guests for a community lunch, The Queen heard first-hand how The Big Lunch has positively impacted the people of Tower Hamlets. Guests included local residents, charities, social enterprises and community group such as the Felix Project, East End Community Foundation and Stepney City Farm.
Related content
