Gay rights protesters’ card for the Queen

Organisers Pride London said that in 41 Commonwealth countries homosexuality is illegal, punishable by a maximum of life in prison. In some parts of Nigeria and Pakistan the crime can lead to the death sentence.

The card read: “Dear Ma’am, same-sex love is illegal in 41 of your Commonwealth countries. Your gay subjects deserve freedom” to the Queen’s London home.

Dr Patrick Williams, chairman of Pride London, said not as many people as hoped had attended the event, but this was to be expected after the sudden death of Whitney Houston, who he described as “one of the world’s greatest gay icons”.

He said: “I wouldn’t say it’s disappointing – the weather being what it is, and the sudden demise of one of the world’s biggest gay icons, Whitney Houston.

“A lot of us have grown up with her music so that was a bit of a shock. But the point is made because at the end of the day two people of the same sex not being able to kiss publicly in 41 Commonwealth countries is completely and utterly a non-starter.

Speaking ahead of the event, which he attended, gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, said: “The persecution of LGBT people is a violation of the Commonwealth’s professed commitment to human rights, equality and non-discrimination.

“The Queen is head of the Commonwealth, where 80 per cent of the member states sanction the victimisation of LGBT people. It is time the Queen made a clear public declaration that she opposes all prejudice, discrimination and violence. Her silence is shameful,” he said.