Osborne House, Isle of Wight, centenary of being open to the public, 19 May 2004
Published
The Isle of Wight is well known for its hospitality, and the warmth of your welcome today is greatly appreciated.
Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to be able to visit in the one hundredth year of the House being open to the public, and glad to find it is being so well looked after.
The Isle of Wight clearly has much to be proud of. Our various engagements this morning - seeing the refurbished rooms here at Osborne House, travelling on a restored Steam Railway, visiting a Respite Care Home, and viewing a new yachting facility and an aerospace construction site - illustrate the things that bind us together: the heritage of the past, the values of our present and the shared challenges of the future. And the guest list for this lunch alone illustrates the diversity of talent of which this community can rightly feel proud.
The Isle of Wight is well known for its hospitality, and the warmth of your welcome today is greatly appreciated. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks both to you and to everyone on the Island for the loyalty and support you have shown over so many years.
Related content
The Queen's Jubilees and other milestones
A history of Jubilees
The Royal Family and Space
The Queen's Message to the Athletes
The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth.
A speech by The Queen at the Borders Railway, Scotland
Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception. But I thank you all, and the many others at home and overseas, for your touching messages of great...
A speech by The Queen at Rosyth Dockyard
I name this ship QUEEN ELIZABETH. May God bless her and all who sail in her.
Announcement of events to mark the 60th anniversary of the Coronation
Announcement of Diamond Jubilee events taking place on 5 June 2012
Announcement of plans for the central Diamond Jubilee weekend in 2012
A speech by The Queen at the opening of CHOGM, 2009
Our shared pledge to “the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress” that my father helped to enshrine in the London Declaration in 1949 means as much today as it did then.
A speech by The Queen at South Hook Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal
I am delighted to join you in this inauguration and to celebrate the close working relationships that have made it possible.
A speech by The Queen at the Sandringham Women's Institute, 2009
In this time of change and uncertainty I think the W.I’s traditional values of playing your part through education and public debate are just as important as ever.
A speech by The Queen at the '1914-1918 Vigil' at Canada House
Among the millions who lost their lives in the Great War were many Canadians who came to Europe to fight for peace.
A speech by The Queen at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
My grandfather, father, husband and two sons have all undergone training here, and I have had many visits over the years.
A speech by The Queen at Heathrow airport's Terminal Five, 2008
I am sure that many millions of travellers will have reason to be appreciative of the thought and care that has gone into the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of...
A speech by The Queen at the opening of High Speed 1, St Pancras International
The remarkable re-birth of this great and gleaming station means that people across the whole of Britain, not just the south-east, are suddenly quite a bit closer to Europe.
Diamond Wedding Anniversary: Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey
A speech by The Queen at Imperial College
By discharging this academic mission, you play a vital role in supporting this country's position on the world stage.
A speech by The Queen at the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Canadian Corps transformed Vimy Ridge from a symbol of despair into a source of inspiration.
A speech by The Queen at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
I know that the renewal of this famous and much-cherished landmark has been a long-held aspiration.
A speech by The Queen to the Royal Irish Regiment, Northern Ireland, 2006
Your contribution to peace and stability within Northern Ireland has been unique.
A speech by The Queen at Mansion House for Her Majesty's 80th Birthday
As Groucho Marx once said "Anyone can get old - all you have to do is to live long enough". And there are in my view many other anniversaries this year which are more...