• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Arsenal are the only club the Queen invited for afternoon tea, Thierry Henry introduced her to everyone

Home> Football> Football News> Arsenal

Updated 16:47 15 Sep 2023 GMT+1Published 16:46 15 Sep 2023 GMT+1

Arsenal are the only club the Queen invited for afternoon tea, Thierry Henry introduced her to everyone

A memorable moment for the French superstar.

Marcus Chan

Marcus Chan

Featured Image Credit: BBC & Arsenal

Topics: Arsenal, Football, Premier League, Arsene Wenger, Thierry Henry

Marcus Chan
Marcus Chan

Advert

Advert

Advert

Arsenal are the only football club to ever be invited for afternoon tea with the Queen.

Back in the summer of 2006 when Arsenal moved from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, Queen Elizabeth II was scheduled to cut the ribbon to officially open the club's new home.

However, due to reportedly hurting her back, Prince Philip took her place.

Advert

It was reported that the Queen expressed her disappointment at missing the event, as a result, the Arsenal team were invited to Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea in February of 2007.

Footage from a BBC documentary captured the historic meeting between the Queen and the Arsenal team. Watch the fascinating footage below.

Then club director, Ken Friar said: "I have been in the business a year or two now and have been very fortunate to do many things, and I would think this is a highlight."

Whilst former manager Arsene Wenger added: "I think she is interested in people and will make them feel relaxed."

Advert

Before the meeting with the Queen, the Arsenal squad were given a private tour of the state apartments by Desmond Shawe Taylor, a royal collections expert.

As the Queen arrived to greet the players. Club captain Thierry Henry introduced the players.

"It went really nicely," Henry said afterwards. "I have no words to describe the experience the Queen has given us."

It is now more than a year since the Queen passed away at Balmoral Castle, aged 96.

Advert

Arsenal released a statement at the time, paying tribute to the monarch.

It read: "Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is saddened at the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

"Her Majesty gave remarkable service over eight decades to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and we join together with so many around the world in mourning her passing and wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family."

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here or 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.

Advert



Choose your content:

9 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty
    9 mins ago

    De Bruyne and McTominay Forced to Follow Strict Napoli Rule after Leaving Premier League

    Napoli impose a harsh rule on their new signings ahead of Champions League clash

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Barcelona's Brightest Wonderkid Since Lamine Yamal Could Face Newcastle at 15

    He has travelled to England for Barca's Champions League opener.

    Football
  • dia images / Contributor via Getty
    an hour ago

    FIFA Make Major Spain Announcement after Threat to Boycott 2026 World Cup

    The EURO 2024 winners received a huge boost following their boycott threat.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Liverpool Create Piece of Champions League History With Win Over Atletico Madrid

    Virgil Van Dijk's late winner at Anfield achieved a Champions League first

    Football
  • Fans baffled at shock inclusion in Arsenal's Champions League squad
  • Thierry Henry impressed everyone with his memory about his Arsenal career
  • Thierry Henry explains his U-turn over Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke despite backing rival takeover bid
  • The old Highbury has been transformed into a £500m luxury housing complex