Fiji born British Army soldier shows traditional respect to Queen Elizabeth II

Fiji born British Army soldier shows traditional respect to Queen Elizabeth II

By fijivillage.com
19/07/2013

Well wishers cheering Queen Elizabeth II were startled when a Fiji born British Army soldier she had just spoken to suddenly sat down on the road.

Many thought he had collapsed with heat exhaustion during the royal tour of Kendal.

But Her Majesty knew exactly what was going on and did not bat an eyelid.

The monarch understood what the crowds did not and that it was a Fijian mark of respect for royalty.

The Daily Mail reports that Sergeant Rusiate Bolavucu representing the Burma Company, part of the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster Regiment, was following an ancient tradition from his South Pacific homeland.

Bolavucu said it is a traditional and cultural thing for people from Fiji to do when they meet a head of state as it is a way of showing respect.

The 32-year-old said the Queen has been to Fiji so she knows about it, and she had asked him where he was from, so she smiled when she saw what he was doing.

He was among other solders from the 1st Battalion, who had just returned from Afghanistan, and those from 4th Battalion the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, who all managed to say a few words to the Queen.

Story by: Rusiate Baleilevuka & Filipe Naikaso [Source: Daily Mail]

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