The Queen was greeted by the Permanent Secretary, Mark Sedwill, before meeting teams from the Home Office, the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Justice.
During the visit, which marked the 10th anniversary of the Civil Service Awards, staff from borders and immigration teams showcased passport gates and digital passport applications while the policing team described advances in technology like drugs screening equipment.
In a speech thanking all civil servants for the contribution they make to the success of the UK, Her Majesty said:
A life of public service is an honourable calling: you have the opportunity to shape people’s lives, inspire others, and uphold the very highest standards.
And so, to all of you here today, and to everyone whose role is to serve the needs of others, I want to say thank you for all that you do.
Thanking the Queen, Mark Sedwill described Her Majesty as “the nation’s greatest public servant”.
