Royals

Towering Antipodeans have a ‘tiny’ Queen smiling at palace party

Feb 16, 2018

The Queen was all smiles for the appearance. Source: Getty.

The Queen makes a statement on any occasion, and is known to stand out with bold style choices and her powerful presence.

But she couldn’t help but look tiny as she met towering rugby player brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola at Buckingham Palace, as she hosted a reception for the Commonwealth diaspora in the UK.

Wearing a light pink jacket and matching skirt, the monarch looked flawless once again as she made her way along a line of inspirational figures. However, reaching the end, she was forced to look up to the very tall brothers, who have Tongan heritage but were brought up in the UK and now play for England.

The meeting was very light-hearted, and according to the Telegraph, she even joked around with the pair as they chatted at the glam bash.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfMM5salThe/?hl=en&taken-by=theroyalfamily

Mako told the site shortly after: “She was saying that apparently rugby is getting a lot tougher now, everyone’s fitter but she can’t see it.” His brother then joked: “I think she was calling us fat – which is fair enough.”

Joining them for the celebration was celebrity chef Monica Galetti from New Zealand. The royal family’s official Instagram page shared a photo of the Queen greeting her guests, and the caption read: “Tonight Her Majesty The Queen hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Commonwealth Diaspora Community. The event was also attended by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

The Queen looked as stylish as ever in light pink. Source: Getty.

“In April, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held London, with events taking across Royal Palaces. Tonight The Queen, The Prince of Wales & The Duchess of Cornwall all met inspirational people from all walks of life – including Rugby playing brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola. The brothers are of Tongan heritage & born in Australia and New Zealand. They now play for @EnglandRugby #CHOGM2018.”

It comes after an exclusive report from the BBC revealed the Commonwealth countries will have a secret meeting, led by a group of seven “high-level” individuals, to discuss future governance, including whether the person who succeeds the Queen will be the leader of the group of nations.

According to the BBC, the group will meet to discuss the way the Commonwealth is governed during a get-together at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth’s London headquarters. While the issue of succession is not listed in the group’s mandate, senior sources told the BBC that the succession would be discussed at the gathering.

The agenda for the summit, which has been seen by the BBC, says there will be a discussion of “wider governance considerations”. Insiders revealed to reporters that the statement was code for the succession plans for when Queen Elizabeth steps down or dies.