Q: Jessica - Portsmouth
I saw the recent documentary about Windsor in which The Duke of Edinburgh shows us a stained glass window showing the fire at Windsor Castle. Can you tell me any more about this?
The stained glass window is in the private chapel at Windsor, in an area which was destroyed by the fire in November 1992.
As part of the restoration plans, The Duke of Edinburgh drew a rough sketch for the window, depicting the fire at Windsor.
The actual window was designed by Joseph Nuttgens from this sketch which amplified and extended the Duke's suggestions.
The Trinity occupies the top of the window, with light spreading down from the dove of the Holy Ghost.
On the left, a salvage worker, by the great malachite urn from the Grand Reception Room, rescues a portrait of Sir Jeffry Wyatville (George IV's architect who made extensive changes to the Castle).
Above him a lunette of Downesian Gothic peers through the smoke.
On the right, the Brunswick Towers erupts in flame.
In the central panel St George pierces a winged and wicked dragon, from whose mouth emerges a blade of flame.
Q: Roni - Canada
What was the first State Visit paid to The Queen during her reign?
The first inbound State Visit during The Queen's reign was made by The King and Queen of Sweden in June 1954.
The King and Queen arrived at Westminster Pier in the Royal Barge.
On the first day of their State Visit, they laid a wreath on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey and visited Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother at Clarence House before the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace.
On the second day of their visit, they visited the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington and a Housing Estate at Butt's Farm in Twickenham.
On the third and final full day of their visit the Royal couple attended a reception of the Swedish Colony at the Hall attached to the Swedish Church in London, visited the British Museum and attended a performance at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
Q: Joanne - Sydney
Has a President of Mexico ever visited The Queen?
President de Echeverria of Mexico and his wife came to the UK on an official State visit from 3-6 April 1973. They stayed at Windsor Castle, where a State Banquet was held in their honour in St. George's Hall.
The President met British businessmen and Heads of Missions of the Diplomatic Corps during his time in the UK. The President held a return banquet for The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at Claridges Hotel.
Q: Jenny - Northumberland
What is the Duchy of Lancaster? Is this bound up with the Civil List?
The Civil List is the sum provided by Parliament to meet the official expenses of The Queen's Household so that Her Majesty can fulfil her role as Head of State and Head of the Commonwealth.
In exchange, The Queen surrendered the hereditary revenues from the Crown Estate, which is administered by Commissioners appointed by the Government.
The Duchy of Lancaster is entirely separate from the Crown Estates, and is not therefore surrendered with the Estates in return for the Civil List.
Founded in the thirteenth century, the Duchy of Lancaster is a unique portfolio of land, property and assets held in trust for the Sovereign in his or her role as Duke of Lancaster.
When Henry IV, Duke of Lancaster in his own right came to the throne in 1399, he ensured that the Duchy of Lancaster should be held separately from other possessions of the Crown (such as the Crown Estate). The Duchy continues to be an independent entity in terms of administration and it is passed to the reigning monarch.
Today the Duchy of Lancaster is custodian of 18,800 hectares across England and Wales, including key urban developments, historic buildings, high-quality farm land and areas of great natural beauty.
The Duchy's main purpose is to provide an independent source of income for the Sovereign as Duke of Lancaster. This money is mainly used to defray official expenditure not historically met by the Civil List.
The Queen uses a large part of it to meet official expenses incurred by other members of the Royal Family. Only The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh receive payments from Parliament which are not reimbursed by The Queen.
The net revenues from the property and investments are paid to the Keeper of the Privy Purse, the member of the Royal Household who is responsible for managing the Sovereign's finances. Revenues presented to the Sovereign are currently in the region of £8m per year.
The Duchy is akin to a statutory perpetual trust where the income is received by the life tenant, while the capital accumulates for the benefit of future Sovereigns.
The Sovereign is not entitled to the Duchy's capital, nor to capital profits. Revenue generation is balanced against the long term need to provide income for future generations of Sovereigns.
All revenue profits from the Duchy of Lancaster distributed to the Sovereign are subject to income tax in the normal way.
The annual accounts of the Duchy are submitted to Parliament. Full copies of recent years' accounts can be found on the web site of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The Duchy of Lancaster is administered on behalf of the Sovereign, the Duke of Lancaster, by the Chancellor and Duchy Council. The officers of the Duchy manage its property and investments.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is the equivalent of the chairman of the trustees, is responsible to the Sovereign for the administration of the Duchy. He has in recent years normally been a Government minister, although this is not a requirement.
Q: Tom - Devon
I saw a picture of Dame Kelly Holmes with her rather impressive looking Damehood badges. I was wondering, how would she wear these on a formal occasion?
A: When a person receives the insignia of his or her award, a card is placed in the insignia box giving instructions as to how the insignia should be worn. Members of the Orders of Knight or Damehood may wear their insignia on official occasions.
Whereas Knights wear the badge of their grade around their neck, ladies wear the badge suspended from the riband made in the form of a bow on the left side of the coat or dress. The badge is worn above the stars or orders and immediately below a bar brooch on which either full size or miniature Badges of Orders, Decorations and Medals are mounted if appropriate.
The badge consists of a cross of enamelled pearl, surmounted by the imperial crown. In the centre is a medallion bearing the crowned effigies of King George V and Queen Mary, within a circle inscribed, 'For God and the Empire' on a red background. The reverse of the medallion bears the Royal cipher of King George V.
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