In 1956, the late Timi of Ede, Oba John Adetoyese Laoye I, had the singular honour of entertaining Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in Ibadan, Oyo State, with the African Talking Drum when she visited Nigeria. She later invited him for dinner, and he honoured it. That marked the beginning of the relationship between the Royal Family of England and the Royal Family of Laoye in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.
As a foremost authority on Yoruba arts and culture both at home and abroad, he published academic papers on Yoruba drums and traveled the world teaching, exhibiting, and demonstrating the African talking drums. He was a recipient of many local and international honours like Coronation Medal of Queen of England (1951), The Queen's Silver Medal for Chiefs (1956), Member of British Empire (MBE) in 1963 e.t.c.
Owing to his dexterity and royal elegance, Oba Laoye was invited to Great Britain in 1965 to attend the Commonwealth Arts Festival with his cultural troupe, where he read a paper on Yoruba music. He was later received at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of England, where she conversed with him about cultural exchange.
In the spirit of strengthening the relationship between the two royal families, Prince Adewale Laoye, one of the children of the late Timi of Ede, sent a specially made Talking Drum as a royal gift through the British Council in Lagos to the Queen of England at Buckingham Palace to commemorate and celebrate her 50 years of reign (Golden Jubilee).
Queen Elizabeth II was very fond of our father, Oba John Adetoyese Laoye I, and she never hid her admiration and respect for the late Timi of Ede and our culture. Today, we grieve her death and mourn with the rest of the world.
In memory of our father and on behalf of the Laoye Royal Family of Edeland, we wish King Charles III a prosperous reign and we say, God Save The King.
Prince Adewale Laoye
Drummer of Peace
CEO, Ààfin Ìlù (Palace of Drum),
Ede, Osun State
Nigeria
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