Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh made a State Visit to Lithuania from 16 to 18 October, 2006.  The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh received a warm and enthusiastic welcome in Lithuania.

The official programme began on 17 October with a Welcoming Ceremony at the Presidential Palace where The Queen and the President reviewed the Honour Guard, exchanged gifts and decorations and had a short tête-à-tête. 

 

At Antakalnis Cemetery The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh each laid a wreath in memory of those killed defending Independence in 1991, and met relatives of the victims as well as Lithuanian servicemen recently deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans. 

 

At the Seimas they met parliamentary leaders and signatories of the 1990 Declaration of Independence.  HM The Queen delivered the keynote speech of the week long Visit to the three Baltic States. 

 

At a walkabout in the Town Hall Square, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were warmly received by the public. 

 

In the afternoon The Queen visited Vilnius University and opened a Cafe Scientifique on the theme of Scientific Research and Globalisation, while The Duke of Edinburgh attended an event to promote the national roll-out of the International Award for Young People in Lithuania, followed by a Celebration of British and Lithuanian Young Entrepreneurs. 

 

Both the State Reception, hosted by the British Ambassador, and the State Banquet, hosted by President Adamkus, provided an opportunity to mingle with a cross-section of Lithuanian society.

 

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh bade farewell to Lithuania on the morning of 18 October.