Melanie Bryan OBE DL @WhyNotChange

My first engagement today as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester was to join the Ceremonial Mayor & Mayoress of Salford, my colleague Lorraine Worsley-Carter DL representing the Lord-Lieutenant & the City Mayor to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.

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Wonderful to join friends to walk at @blackburnpride1 yesterday. A credit to the organisers and such a friendly, peaceful, inclusive event. What Pride should be, sadly more needed than ever right now in a world that's burning with so much hate. 🥹 #loveislove🌈

A warm welcome to High Sheriff Llewellin DL and his consort at The Derby. We were proud to showcase just some of the ways we inspire, create opportunities and make a positive difference in our community. Thank you for your interest and support @highsheriffs @KaranleeDL

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Michelle Obama had a problem. She was standing in Buckingham Palace, about to sit down to a state dinner hosted by Queen Elizabeth II — one of the most formally dressed women in the world, wearing jewels that had adorned British royalty for centuries — and the gift she had brought was a $50 brooch from an antique shop in Washington D.C. It was May 2011. President Barack Obama and the First Lady were on a state visit to the United Kingdom — only the second time in history a sitting American president had been granted that honor. The palace had pulled out all the stops. Chandeliers blazing. Footmen in livery. The Queen in full regalia, diamonds catching the light. And Michelle's gift was a small moss agate brooch from a vintage store called Tiny Jewel Box. Barack Obama would later recall the moment with a smile. "The Queen was dressed up quite a bit for the state dinner," he said. "It was a little bit concerning for Michelle, because as a gift to Her Majesty, Michelle had selected a small, modest brooch of nominal value." The brooch was beautiful, in its quiet way. Made in 1950 in America, crafted in fourteen-karat yellow gold, set with diamonds and pale green moss agate in the shape of a small flower. Delicate. Personal. The kind of thing you find when you're not looking for something grand — when you're just looking for something true. Michelle presented it to the Queen that evening, alongside the official state gift — a carefully assembled album of photographs and memorabilia from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's historic 1939 visit to the United States, something the Queen was said to have been visibly moved by as she turned the pages. But it was the little brooch that told a different story. The following evening, the Obamas hosted their own reciprocal dinner at Winfield House — the official residence of the American Ambassador in London. It was a room full of heads of state and royalty, an evening of its own formality and grandeur. The Queen arrived. And on her lapel, she was wearing Michelle's brooch. Not one of her legendary pieces. Not a diamond parure gifted by a Commonwealth nation or a sapphire set that had passed through generations of the royal family. The small American flower from a Washington antique shop — worn the very next night, in front of everyone. Obama said: "The one thing we immediately noticed is that she was wearing the brooch that Michelle had given her. It was an example of the subtle thoughtfulness that she consistently displayed. Not just to us, but to everybody who she interacted with." The Queen understood something that is easy to forget in rooms full of expensive things: the value of a gift has nothing to do with its price. It has everything to do with what it says. That brooch said — I chose this for you. I thought of you when I saw it. I wanted you to have something made by American hands, something personal, something that wasn't pulled from a state inventory. The Queen heard every word of it. She kept the brooch. It became known in royal circles as the American State Visit Brooch, and it appeared on her again on notable occasions over the years — a quiet signal, each time, of the warmth she carried for the people who had given it. The exchange, it turned out, went both ways. The Queen gave Michelle a gift of her own that visit — an antique brooch of red coral and gold, shaped like a rose. Two women, surrounded by all the machinery of state protocol, quietly giving each other flowers. When Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022, Barack Obama released a video tribute. He talked about how she reminded him of his grandmother — the same wry humor, the same no-nonsense grace, the same ability to make everyone around her feel genuinely seen. And he told the brooch story. The $50 antique. The state dinner. The moment the next evening when they walked in and saw her wearing it. "She could not have been more kind or thoughtful to me and Michelle," he said. Queen Elizabeth II owned jewels that belonged to empires. Pieces that had passed through the hands of kings and queens across centuries of history. Stones worth more than most people will ever see in a lifetime. And when she wanted to tell someone that their gift had mattered — that the thought behind it had reached her — she pinned a small moss agate flower to her lapel and walked into the room. That is the kind of person she was. Kindness, when it comes from a genuine place, doesn't need to be expensive. It just needs to be worn.

A fantastic evening as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in Cheadle. Linda Lam is celebrating her 60th birthday fundraising for Christie’s. With her many helpers she has raised almost £500,000 for charities. Tonight she received a High Sheriff’s award.

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Only one engagement as High Sheriff today - the weather was perfect for a visit to Bury on a new guided walk telling the story of the LGBTQI+ community in the borough. Thanks to David Catterall DL for the invitation. Tea and cake in Olive’s Kitchen.

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Fantastic to be joined by @LaltexGroup (KAE for promoting opportunity) and @AnacardaL (KAE for innovation) to talk about the King's Award for Enterprise to diverse #Wigan businesses today thanks to @WiganCouncil and GM Business Growth Hub. Lots of useful insights @GMLO_UK

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Honoured and humbled to receive the British Empire Medal (BEM) in The King's Birthday Honours for services to Refugee Resettlement. A proud moment that reflects collective efforts of so many wonderful people and communities. Thank you for your support. @GMLO_UK @MaryLizWalker1

A real highlight this afternoon as I, as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, visited Rochdale Town Hall to meet the team of volunteers. I joined the Mayor and Mayoress and my fellow Deputy Lieutenants for a celebratory afternoon tea and tour. Do visit!

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My first engagement today as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester was a visit to The Derby High School, Bury where I met so many amazing groups of students - A really inspiring afternoon.

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Tonight I visited Failsworth and Beyond WI to talk about being High Sheriff and the Lieutenancy. Great fun.

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My honour to represent the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester at citizenship ceremonies today in Manchester. The middle one also marked my 100th engagement as High Sheriff in my first 68 days in the role. It has been joyous to meet so many people doing great things. @GMLO_UK

My fourth engagement today as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester was to the Sitsiam Camp in Tameside. We saw demonstrations of Thai Martial Arts & met Arjarn Tony Moore, Kru Steven and Kru Gian who are doing amazing work giving pupils skills for life, fitness and respect.

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My third engagement today was a visit to watch Neighbourhood Watch at the PADOS Studio in Prestwich. For me, as a child, amateur theatre changed my life and it was heartwarming to hear that this is still the case for so many people. PADOS really is a community asset.

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My first engagement today as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester was a celebration at Caring and Sharing in Rochdale. They recently received the King’s Award for Volunteering which is a great achievement. An honour to join the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale & the Deputy Lieutenant

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My second engagement today as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester was to The Power of Resilience CIC to see the community pantry and kitchens and hear of their great work in the Tameside area. Lovely to meet so many volunteers and hear their stories.

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Privileged to represent His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester at Wigan's Falklands Remembrance Service. Michael (pictured) is a veteran who served on the Yarmouth. A pleasure to also meet Derek who lives in the Falklands and served as part of their defence @GMLO_UK

Privileged to represent His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester at Wigan's Falklands Remembrance Service. It's always humbling to spend time with our veterans including our standard bearers. Thank-you for your service @GMLO_UK

Privileged to represent His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester at Wigan's Falklands Remembrance Service. Pictured with our Sea Cadets who are an absolute credit to our borough. @GMLO_UK