Late yesterday afternoon, Queen Elizabeth II visited the World Trade Center site (after her address to the General Assembly). The NY Times reports that people were wondering when she might arrive and that a pedestrian traffic guard answered, "I heard 2:30 and 5:30. Sorry, buddy, Scotland Yard has been out of touch."
NY Governor David Paterson, NJ Governor Chris Christie, and Mayor Bloomberg were at Ground Zero to greet the Queen and Prince Philip. In spite of the stifling heat wave, the Queen appeared not to sweat. Royal watcher Joe Little explained to the Daily News, "For them, it's simply mind over matter. Her Majesty is Teflon-coated, and heat doesn't bother her in the slightest. And age doesn't even enter the equation." Paula Berry, who spoke to the Queen about losing her husband in the 9/11 attacks, said, "On a day as hot as today, she could have canceled. It must be something about being a royal - in fact, I think I caught a breeze off her!"
After visiting Ground Zero and laying a wreath there, Queen Elizabeth opened the British Memorial Garden at Hanover Square (though it was opened two years ago). Then she headed back to Blighty.
