The Queen is elegant in a plum ensemble as she leaves MI5’s HQ

The Queen thanked MI5 staff for ‘keeping our country safe’ during her first public visit to the intelligence agency’s HQ.

Speaking at the headquarters at Thames House, London, the Queen, 93, said she is ‘always struck’ by their ‘remarkable resolve’ to carry out work ‘without public recognition’. 

Sir Andrew Parker, MI5’s director general and head, gave the Queen a tour of the agency’s private museum and showed her artefacts relating to double agents who helped deceive the Nazis over the site of the Second World War D-Day landings.

The visit to the London headquarters was not announced ahead of time. 

Scroll down for videos 

 The Queen thanked MI5 staff for ‘keeping our country safe’ during a visit to the headquarters in London today. Pictured, leaving Thames House with Director General Andrew Parker

The Queen, 93, delivered a speech, saying how she is 'always struck' by the 'remarkable resolve' of MI5 employees. Pictured, with Director General Andrew Parker after the visit

The Queen, 93, delivered a speech, saying how she is ‘always struck’ by the ‘remarkable resolve’ of MI5 employees. Pictured, with Director General Andrew Parker after the visit

The monarch donned an elegant plum ensemble for the low-key outing to Thames House. She delivered a speech to staff before being escorted out by the Director General, pictured

 The monarch donned an elegant plum ensemble for the low-key outing to Thames House. She delivered a speech to staff before being escorted out by the Director General, pictured

The Queen appeared in excellent spirits as she met MI5 employees at the headquarters

The Queen appeared in excellent spirits as she met MI5 employees at the headquarters

The Queen  looks at artifacts relating to MI5 D-Day operations with Sir Andrew Parker

The Queen  looks at artifacts relating to MI5 D-Day operations with Sir Andrew Parker

The Queen thanked intelligence workers in a speech, pictured, saying she was struck by their 'remarkable resolve'

The Queen thanked intelligence workers in a speech, pictured, saying she was struck by their ‘remarkable resolve’ 

Typically co-ordinated, the Queen plumped for a plum-coloured ensemble for the outing, wearing a vibrant coat over a floral dress and accessorising with a hat in the same shade. 

She finished the outfit with her trusty handbag and black leather shoes, adding a pair of gloves to protect her hands from the cold. 

The Queen said in her speech: ‘I would like to take my visit here today as an opportunity to thank you all for the tireless work you do to keep our country safe.

‘I am always struck by the remarkable resolve with which you carry out your vital role. There will no doubt continue to be significant threats and challenges ahead. 

Sir Andrew discussed how British intelligence services had been vital during the Second World War. The Queen was shown artifacts as part of her visit to MI5's headquarters at Thames House

Sir Andrew discussed how British intelligence services had been vital during the Second World War. The Queen was shown artifacts as part of her visit to MI5’s headquarters at Thames House

The Queen looked particularly elegant in her warm winter ensemble for the outing today

The Queen at Thames House earlier on Tuesday

The Queen looked particularly elegant in her warm winter ensemble for the outing today

The Queen looked fascinated as she was shown the display by Sir Andrew Parker today

The Queen looked fascinated as she was shown the display by Sir Andrew Parker today

The Queen, pictured, was given a brief tour of the headquarters during the unannounced visit

The Queen, pictured, was given a brief tour of the headquarters during the unannounced visit

The Queen with Sir Andrew Parker, head of MI5, during the visit to the headquarters today

The Queen with Sir Andrew Parker, head of MI5, during the visit to the headquarters today

The Queen was handed a beautiful bouquet of flowers during her visit to Thames House

The Queen was handed a beautiful bouquet of flowers during her visit to Thames House

‘But on each of my visits to MI5, I have been impressed by the way that you have adapted to the changing threats to our nation.

‘Whether responding to the threats from the Nazis or the Cold War, domestic terrorism or the cyber sphere, you have always demonstrated the utmost commitment to your motto Regnum Defende (defence of the realm).

‘Because of the nature of your work, it is without public recognition, so it is on behalf of the country that I say to you all, thank you.’

The visit comes after the Government moved to strongly deny claims that MI5 chiefs do not trust Home Secretary Priti Patel and were limiting intelligence sharing.

The Queen's visit to Thames House was not announced to the press ahead of time. Pictured, the monarch poses for a photo in the intelligence agency's headquarters

The Queen’s visit to Thames House was not announced to the press ahead of time. Pictured, the monarch poses for a photo in the intelligence agency’s headquarters

Typically co-ordinated, the Queen plumped for a plum-coloured ensemble for the outing, wearing a vibrant coat over a floral dress and accessorising with a hat in the same shade

The Queen poses for a photo during the visit today

Typically co-ordinated, the Queen plumped for a plum-coloured ensemble for the outing, wearing a vibrant coat over a floral dress and accessorising with a hat in the same shade

Details of the visit are not known but a transcript of the Queen's speech was shared on the Royal Family website. Pictured, the Queen after the event on Tuesday morning

Details of the visit are not known but a transcript of the Queen’s speech was shared on the Royal Family website. Pictured, the Queen after the event on Tuesday morning

The Queen leaving Thames House with Director General Andrew Parker following her visit

The Queen leaving Thames House with Director General Andrew Parker following her visit

The Queen's visit today marked Her Majesty's first public visit to the intelligence agency's HQ, pictured in a stock image

The Queen’s visit today marked Her Majesty’s first public visit to the intelligence agency’s HQ, pictured in a stock image

Source link