State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi accepts the Freedom of the City of London, the city’s highest honour, a symbolic and prestigious award which marks the trust gained by the recipent from the city. The ceremony took place in Guildhall, London yesterday. Photo: MNA
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday accepted the Freedom of the City of London, the city’s highest honour, joining prestigious luminaries such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Stephen Hawking and Nelson Mandela as fellow recipients.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is in the United Kingdom on an official visit, during which she met with Sir Michael Fallon, Britain’s Secretary of State for Defence at the Ministry of Defence in Westminster.
After meeting with Britain’s Secretary of Defence yesterday morning, the State Counsellor accepted the Honorary Freedom of The City of London award at Guildhall, London, the home of the city’s centre of government, and gave a speech of thanks.
The Honorary Freedom of The City of London is the highest honour bestowed by the City of London. It has previously been awarded to royalty, heads of states and figures of genuine global standing. Former prime minister of Britain Margaret Thatcher, former president of South Africa Mr. Nelson Mandela, English physicist and professor Stephen Hawking and Diana, Princess of Wales were the past recipients of this honour.
After the event, State Counsellor attended a luncheon hosted by acting Lord Mayor of the City of London Sir Alderman Alan Yarrow.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi last week visited Brussels, Belgium, the Vatican and Italy. —Myanmar News Agency