Why The Queen becomes a Duke on her Diamond Jubilee

WINE DRINKERS IN the Channel Islands will be celebrating The Queen's Diamond Jubilee but will raise their glass to the Duke of Normandy – because that's how Her Majesty is toasted by the islanders.

The Queen's celebrations mark her 60 years on the throne and also coincide with the start of English Wine Week, which runs from June 2nd-10th.

And with Sark Vineyards in the Channel Islands being the world's newest wine region, islanders will be raising their glasses and saying: "To The Duke of Normandy, our Queen," when they toast The Queen during Diamond Jubilee weekend from June 2nd-5th.

The Channel Islands are not part of the UK but are dependant territories of the English Crown, as successor to the Dukes of Normandy.

The Queen has visited the islands on a number of occasions, most recently in May 2005 when she marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the islands from German occupation.

Visiting Sark
Book a two-night stay with Sark Island Hotels during English Wine Week and enjoy an exclusive horse-drawn tour of the beautiful vineyards and join us as we raise a toast to The Queen, "Our Duke"!

www.sarkislandhotels.com

Sark Island Hotels will be taking guests on a boat trip to the neighbouring island of Brecqhou on June 5th for a Champagne toast and 21-gun salute.

The hotels were recently awarded three star ratings from the Sustainable Restaurant Association for their sourcing of local food from the island's fields, shores and kitchen gardens.

The Considerate Hotel Awards have also awarded the kitchen gardens as Local Green Supplier of the Year, and the Hotel Petit Champ as Small Accommodation Provider of the Year.

History and background

The Channel Islands were part of the Duchy of Normandy when Duke William, following his conquest of England in 1066, became William I.

In 1106, William's youngest son Henry I seized the Duchy of Normandy from his brother Robert; since that time, the English Sovereign has always held the title Duke of Normandy.

By 1205, England had lost most of its French lands, including Normandy. However, the Channel Islands, part of the lost Duchy, remained a self-governing possession of the English Crown.

While the islands today retain autonomy in government, they owe allegiance to The Queen in her role as Duke of Normandy.

The Channel Islands are situated 10 to 30 miles off the north-west coast of France - Sark is situated 8 miles from Guernsey.

Media enquiries
For media enquiries and high resolution images please contact Bernadette Costello of Costello Media.
Email: bernadette@costellomedia.co.uk
www.sarkislandhotels.com