Former presidents Fernando Enrique Cardoso (PSDB), Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) and Dilma Rousseff (PT) were the only people elected by popular vote in Brazil to meet Queen Elizabeth II in person, who died on Thursday (8).
In 1997, during the then-FHC President’s state visit to the United Kingdom, Pele then extraordinary Minister of Sport, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, stole the show at the meeting.
Pele in London was decorated with the Knight’s Medal of the British Empire, presented by the Queen. The day before, the FHC had been awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the lesser-known Order of the Pigeon.
The FHC met the Queen in 1997, when Pele was an extraordinary Minister of Sports / Fundação FHC
Lula was at Buckingham Palace, in March 2006, with First Lady Marisa Leticia and seven Brazilian ministers, including former culture minister and talented artist Gilberto Gil. The meeting took place during a three-day official visit to the United Kingdom.
On this occasion, the event was organized to discuss the relations between Brazil and the English nation, as well as the “good relations” that dominated the international arena.
On Thursday, Lula offered his condolences to the British royal family and recalled his meeting with the head of state.
In our government, the United Kingdom and Brazil have had excellent diplomatic, political and trade relations, marked by the state visit they welcomed us in in 2006. I remember our meeting at the G-20 meeting in London in 2009.
– Lula 13 (@LulaOficial) September 8, 2022
In July 2012, Dilma, in London, participated in the reception of the Queen of England to the heads of state who were in the UK for the opening of the Olympic Games.
The meeting with Queen Elizabeth took place at Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British royal family. President Dilma Rousseff went to the palace with her daughter.
Editing: Rodrigo Durao Coelho
Agatha Christie is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, books, and current affairs. She is committed to producing accurate, informative content that helps readers stay informed about the latest developments in the UK and beyond.
