sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
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

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

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.

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.

Advert

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."

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.

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.



Featured Image Credit: BBC & Arsenal

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

Marcus Chan
Marcus Chan

Recommended reads

Man Utd's 15 transfer targets to fill four key positions as at least six prepare to leaveGetty ImagesDennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridarts

Advert

Choose your content:

7 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    7 mins ago

    Barcelona prepared to sacrifice five first-team players to fund summer rebuild

    Barcelona are set to sacrifice five first-team players to fund their summer recruitment drive.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Jose Mourinho sets record straight on Real Madrid interest as contract offer mooted

    The Portuguese has finally addressed the situation.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    FIFA set Iran World Cup deadline after nation blocked from congress meeting

    An Iranian delegation was blocked from attending a meeting in Vancouver, Canada, earlier this week.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    BBC make World Cup staff decision 40 days before start of tournament

    The BBC made a decision with their staff ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada just 40 days out from the tournament

    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