Queen backs out of Arsenal opening

By Josh Spero

THE IRONY was not lost on Prince Philip as he pulled back the curtains on a plaque which read: “Emirates Stadium officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Second to her,” he said, “I’m the world’s most experienced plaque unveiler.”

The Queen, who was to officially open Arsenal’s new £400m stadium yesterday, cancelled her appearance because she had hurt her back. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was due to attend in any case, performed the Queen’s duties in her absence.

Many at the opening said they were disappointed the Queen had not been able to attend.

Alan Sefton, head of Arsenal in the Community, which promotes sports in the area, said: “Prince Philip is still a charismatic figure. "I am disappointed but it’s one of those things.”

Joe Payne, a 10-year-old midfielder in a juniors’ exhibition match, said he was “quite disappointed,” a sentiment echoed by other children playing.

Some of the children were more concerned, however, with seeing their footballing heroes.

“As long as Thierry [Henry, Arsenal captain] was here, Will would be happy,” said Karen Young, whose son Will Young was playing in the match. But she added: “I’m disappointed because it would be the nearest I’ll ever get.”

Staff at Arsenal, who had been working for weeks to prepare for the visit, were only given three hours’ notice by Buckingham Palace that the Queen was not coming, and there were some swift changes at the stadium.

The two huge video screens in opposite corners of the stadium that announced the Queen’s attendance also had to be rejigged. Even the programme for the next match, two days later, had to have a note inserted because all the text mentioned the Queen.

Prince Philip was first shown the Northern Triangle building, a development of affordable housing next to the Emirates Stadium, where he met Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood and the Mayor of Islington, Councillor Jyoti Vaja.

He then went into the stadium itself to meet the Arsenal squad lined up on the pitch and was led down the line by captain Henry. The Prince stopped to chat to several players. After that he unveiled the commemorative plaque in the Diamond Club lounge, part of the stadium’s hospitality facilities.

The Prince was presented with several gifts from the club, including a miniature cannon made from silver, which is represented in Arsenal’s club badge.