SEVERAL senior figures from Kent are currently in Virginia in the United States for a 400th anniversary date with the Queen.

They are taking part in events marking the arrival in 1607 of the first English settlers, some from Kent, to establish a permanent settlement on the North American continent.

They effectively laid the foundations for the creation of the United States, and led to Pocahontas, the American Indian princess marrying John Rolfe, coming to London and dying on the voyage home off Gravesend.

Cllr Alex King, deputy Kent County Council leader, and Rebecca Casson, a senior KCC official, are among those due to meet the Queen.

So is former High Sheriff and new chairman of the Kent Tourism Alliance Amanda Cottrell who is representing the county and its tourism industry.

Amanda Cottrell said: “Not only is it a great privilege to be in the presence of the Royal party on this important occasion, but it is also an incredible opportunity to represent Kent and share our beautiful county with an international audience.”

Ms Casson has been seconded to the office of Virginia Governor Tim Kaine for a few weeks during the 400th anniversary commemoration. She has played a key role in co-ordinating links between Kent and Virginia over the past few years.

In particular, Native American tribal chiefs have paid several visits to the county as part of a developing relationship between Kent and Virginia. Kent was the first English county to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with a US state.

Richmond, the state capital, will be the first American city to officially welcome the Queen in 16 years. According to the Governor’s office, public excitement is high, with more than 270,000 hits on Virginia’s official Royal visit website in just seven days.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will also visit Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, the site of the first permanent English settlement of the New World. The Duke will also visit Norfolk, Virginia.