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

Mark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGettyTyson Fury explains why his 14-year-old son Prince has “no choice” but to become a boxerGettyTyson Fury targets Jon Jones clash as next move after boxing confirmedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    FIFA confirm in statement that Arsene Wenger's 'daylight rule' to be used in top-flight competition

    Wenger believes the rule will help the flow of a game and promote attacking play.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    European giants 'submit' stunning Cole Palmer offer as Chelsea unhappiness revealed

    Cole Palmer is reportedly unhappy at Chelsea and has an offer on the table from one of Europe's big guns.

    Football
  • Getty
    5 hours ago

    Bosnia and Italy in wild spy-gate row ahead of crucial World Cup play-off

    The sides will compete for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup this evening.

    Football
  • Getty
    6 hours ago

    England's World Cup opponents sack manager just 72 days before first tournament game

    Thomas Tuchel and England will face a different manager than anticipated in the World Cup group stage after a drastic decision was made.

    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