Jun 9 2020

Queens Birthday reception at JFC Brunssum

Brunssum, the Netherlands – Monday 08 June, the British Community at Allied Headquarters Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) hosted a reception on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth’s Official Birthday.

The Queen has attended Trooping the Colour in every year of her reign, except in 1955 when the event was cancelled due to a national rail strike. In 2020, although it has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, a smaller scale event is planned for Windsor Castle this weekend. Similarly, the small event at Brunssum reflected the social distancing restrictions currently in place in The Netherlands.

Addressing the guests from the Headquarters and municipality including the Commander, General Jörg Vollmer, Lieutenant General Stuart Skeates outlined the importance of this event to the British contingent serving abroad.

The Queen as a symbol of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth is a role model and a much loved and respected figure across the globe. General Skeates underlined that The Queen’s extraordinary reign has seen her travel more widely than any other monarch, serve as patron to a wide range of charities and organisations and provide wise and discreet counsel and advice. “Known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service, Her Majesty has been the figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social change during her 68 year reign and particularly in these difficult times.” the General said.