Royal respect

"What I find remarkable…is how close we the faith leaders/representatives are seated in proximity to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal family; much closer compared to our Prime Minister, mayor of London and other political dignitaries. I doubt this would happen in any other country, other than the United Kingdom,” remarked Malcolm Deboo, president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) who had recently represented the Zoroastrian community at the service of thanksgiving to mark the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. "Since I have been elected the ZTFE president, I have been extremely privileged and fortunate to have been invited to several of these landmark national events …Every time we have been treated with the utmost respect,” added Deboo.
The thanksgiving ceremony organized at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 10, 2016 was attended by members of the Royal family, then Prime Minister David Cameron who read from the New Testament and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev Justin Welby who preached the sermon, noted a detailed report on the website of the Diocese of London. The others in the congregation included politicians, past and present, the mayor of London Sadiq Khan, diplomats and governors general.
The anthem I love all beauteous things, a performance of Burlesque, organ music Flourish for an occasion were specially selected for the service. Additionally, "five people representing aspects of the Queen’s life and role and a sixth person — born on the same day as the Queen — read special prayers.”

Also in the company of Her Majesty, as a volunteer doctor with St John Ambulance Brigade, was Dr Mickey Adagra who was invited to be the medical officer on duty at the Queen’s summer garden parties at Buckingham Palace this year. Thrilled with the "honor and experience,” Adagra stated that he could attend only two of the four parties.
Sharing his experience with Parsiana, he wrote in response to our queries, "The invitees come from all walks of life and each party is attended by approximately 5,000 guests. The organization works to precision and the efficient airport style security for such a large number is a treat to watch… The palace gates are opened at 2 p.m. and the Royals come out at 3 p.m. and mingle with the crowd till about 5 p.m. Some of the younger Royals stay and chat a little longer depending on their other commitments. The entire Royal family is involved and… the initial tense/awkward atmosphere is defused by their informality.
"Officially the function ends at 5 p.m. but the guests are allowed to wander in the extensive gardens till 6 p.m. Tea and sandwiches are served and there are two military bands on either end of the garden that play alternatively. On one of the days I was present, the band of the Gurkha Regiment was very popular with the crowd.”
Fortunately there was no medical emergency that Adagra had to attend to but he observed that "the nurse attached to the palace has her work cut out distributing medicated plasters to ladies who have developed blisters” on their feet with their new footwear!
Settled in the UK for nearly four decades, Adagra served as medical officer for Lords Cricket Ground and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Association, covering these events for a number of years (see "Medico at the matches,” Parsiana, July 21, 2012). Accredited as a general practitioner with special interest in male health, particularly erectile dysfunction, he runs a clinic where patients may be referred from Bexley and Greenwich, boroughs to the southeast of London.