Post date: Jun 07, 2013 1:18:46 PM
Britain's Queen Elizabeth officially opens the new BBC headquarters in centralLondon.
LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JUNE 7, 2013)(POOL) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth officially opened the new BBC headquarters in central London on Friday (June 7).
Given a guided tour of the building by BBC Director General Tony Hall, the Queen met radio and television presenters and was treated to a personal performance of a song by the band 'The Script' who played in BBC radio's 'Live Lounge'.The Queen then took a seat during the BBC's flagship Radio 4 Today programme with the Director General who wished her husband, Prince Philip, a speedy recovery from an illness that saw him admitted to hospital on Thursday (June 6) for exploratory surgery.
"Your Majesty, as you've seen so far walking around this building it gives us all enormous pleasure to welcome you to Broadcasting House, and particularly so in the week we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of your coronation," Tony Hallsaid. "We are all only sorry that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has been unable to come with you today, and we wish him, all of us wish him a speedy recovery," he added.
The Queen's speech was broadcast live on Television and Radio, as well as across Broadcasting House for BBC staff.
"Thank you Director-General. It is a great pleasure to visit the BBC today, and to see it in its new home. I remember first coming to Broadcasting House with my father, the King, my mother and sister, shortly before the war. I came again with the Duke of Edinburgh just before the coronation in 1953. I was struck then as I am now by the sheer pace of change which has transformed your industry over the past 60 years. Years during which broadcasting has enriched our lives in so many ways. I hope this new building will serve you well for the future and I am delighted to declare it open today," the Queen said.
Broadcasting House is now home to 6,000 staff who look after three 24-hour TV channels, nine radio stations as well as a range of online services.