Red, White and Blue

Photo Copyright: Maggie May

The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth 2nd has probably affected all of the UK over the last few days. Whether we admit to being for the Royals or not, we probably have benefited in some way or other from the celebrations. For a start, there were two days official holiday and for many, that meant no work. Britain held many street parties where tables were put out into the road and food shared. I noticed that people talked to each other more and it was an occasion to get to know others who are neighbours just by sight. Then there was a continual coverage of the Royal events on TV for those who wanted to take part but couldn't and it really was the best way to see what was happening from the comfort of your own arm chair.

Where am I in all this? Well I am neither particularly for or against the Royals but one thing I know and that can't really be argued against, is the way the Queen has stoically managed to keep working well into her eighties. She has more stamina than I do and she seems to take a genuine interest in all the people she meets and organisations that she supports. She promised never to retire and she seems to be honouring that pledge.

I remember when she was crowned Queen of England when I was only about ten. We had no TV in those days and my family was invited to watch at the home of one of Dad's friends. They had a small black and white set, as only the richest people in the land had colour in those days. We all sat glued to the set and watched in awe. I don't know what happened to my Coronation coins that were given out (or maybe my father bought them, I really can't remember). I still have a prayer book with the Queen in her Coronation robe and crown on the front cover.

In my last post I was moaning about the effect that the sun was having on my skin. However, I needn't have worried because the weather changed to a much cooler and wetter state, which probably hampered the Jubilee Celebrations a good deal.

The British are renowned for their stiff upper lip attitude to hardship so it was no surprise to see the Queen standing in the cold for hours taking part in the River Thames Boat Pageant where hundreds of boats of all sizes headed for Tower Bridge in a very orderly armada. I must admit that I did enjoy watching that from the comfort of my own home but all her loyal subjects who stood in the rain obviously thought it was well worth their while. They had all waited for hours to get a place along the route. Thousands of people came and supported it, which must have been good for our economy.

I really enjoyed watching the Royal Concert the next evening, again from the comfort of my own arm chair, and I thought that the lighting effects were wonderful and enjoyed the singers, many of them from my own era.

It was a pity about the weather and the Duke of Edinburgh ending up in hospital, but it is something that will go down in history and we will never see the likes of any of it again in our lifetime.

It is quite obvious that the Queen enjoyed herself and that she had the love and support of all her family and that is something we can all identify with.