Queen calls for Britons to find 'common ground' in speech at Sandringham WI meeting

The Queen has called for British people to find "common ground", while speaking at the meeting of Sandringham and West Newton Women's Institute yesterday (Thursday, January 24).

As head of state, the Queen remains neutral with respect to political matters, but the comments have been interpreted as referring to the Brexit debate, ahead of the vote on the Prime Minister's 'Plan B' for leaving the European Union next week.

At the event, which marked 100 years of Sandringham WI, the Queen, who is president of the group, said: "Reflecting on a century of change, it is clear that the qualities of the WI endure.

"The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago.

"Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities.

"As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground, and never losing sight of the bigger picture.

"To me, these approaches are timeless, and I commend them to everyone."

Ahead of the meeting at West Newton Village Hall, TV personality Alexander Armstrong was revealed as this year's special guest to the WI meeting.

Mr Armstrong, who hosts the quiz show Pointless on BBC One, said: "It's always an honour to meet the Queen and I feel particularly honoured to be here today.

"It's a bit like a dream come true."

Born in Northumberland, the special guest has appeared in a range of television shows and films including Doctor Who and Marple as well as starring as a comedian and presenter.

He continued: “I think I am going to get to have tea with the Queen.

“It’s going to be quite informal. We will ramble around this and that.”

The screen star was greeted by a scrum of more than ten photographers as he arrived by car with his wife Hannah.

Mr Armstrong said: "I have had lots of friends saying they have had tea with the Queen and now I get to do it, so I am extremely excited.”

A special guest goes to the meeting each year with Susie Fowler-Watt in attendance last year.

The identity of the guest is somewhat of a mystery with waiting media and photographers unsure of who it will be until they arrive.

After jokingly saying it could have been Christopher Biggins or Angela Rippon, Mr Armstrong said: “I did not realise it was such a closely guarded secret.”

The Queen, who is Sandringham and West Newton branch's president, spends time with members of the group each year, having joined the organisation in 1943, when she was still Princess Elizabeth.

The 92-year-old monarch traditionally joins members for their January meeting during her new year break on the estate.

The meeting came exactly one week after a Land Rover driven by the Duke of Edinburgh was in collision with a car on the A149 near the West Newton village hall, where the WI meets.

The incident created headlines around the world and has seen the Royal Family criticised for its response to the incident.

But the Queen was full of smiles as she was welcomed by branch chairman Yvonne Browne for the meeting.