BRUNEI-MUARA – The British High Commission celebrated the 93rd Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II in grand style Wednesday night, during a special reception held at the Empire Hotel & Country Club.
“[Her Majesty] has been our monarch for 67 years. She is a living example of the sustainability that is our theme for the evening,” said British High Commissioner Richard Lindsay.
He added that over the past year Brunei and the UK have worked hard to build a relationship based on shared values.
“The sustainability and depth of our bilateral political relationship is what allows us to work together and to find solutions — even when we have differences.”
Lindsay noted the strong defence ties between both countries, demonstrated by persistent engagement between British and Bruneian navies, with British warships making four visits to the sultanate in the past year.
He also paid tribute to members of the British Forces Brunei and loan service personnel who are permanently based in the sultanate.
In keeping with the theme of sustainability, the high commissioner said this year’s event was the first carbon-neutral Queen’s Birthday Party.
Iconic red telephone boxes, London park benches and landmarks dotted the hotel’s grand hall, with guests also able to view a photo exhibition showcasing the energy relationship between Brunei and the UK. Brunei Shell Petroleum also staged a virtual reality demonstration of low carbon gas technology.
Eco-marathon cars designed by Universiti Brunei Darussalam students were also on display to raise awareness on fuel-efficient vehicles.
