| | |  News Around the Republic of Mexico | April 2009 
Mexico's President Given George Orwell's 1984 by the Queen
 UK Telegraph
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| | Senora Margarita Zavala and the Duke of Edinburgh view an exhibition of Mexican items from The Royal Collection. (Getty) | |
At Buckingham Palace, Felipe Calderon was presented with a first edition of George Orwell's nightmarish book, which tells of a totalitarian regime and coined the concept Big Brother.
The Royal Household seeks guidance from the staff of incoming VIPs when deciding what to offer during the official exchange of gifts.
A Palace spokeswoman said: "Apparently the president really admires George Orwell."
The 1949 book was boxed in leather by the bindery at Windsor.
Mr Calderon also received the traditional present given to guests - framed photographs of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The president's wife Margarita Zavala received a small silver box with EIIR inscribed in gold on the lid.
The Queen received a Maque tray from Michoacan, the Mexican state from which the president comes. Philip received a wooden Olinala chest.
The exchange of gifts between rulers is a long-standing custom. In 1520 Henry VIII and Francis I of France exchanged gifts at the Field of Cloth of Gold in northern France.
During a state visit, the exchange usually happens on the first day and serves as a gesture of goodwill between the two nations. |
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