Queen’s Diamond Jubilee ~ Four days of celebration
June 2-5, 2012
God Save Bless the Queen! London is celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to
commemorate 60 years on the throne.
It has only happened one other time in history, in 1897, when Queen Victoria
reached this victorious milestone.
The celebration has been in the works for many years and comes with a
rigorous four-day schedule. They threw
in an extra bank holiday to accommodate the festivities. Everything is closed Monday and Tuesday (which
is why I love it here – we would never get an extra holiday in the US, and we
don’t even have a Queen)! She is
not young; she’s 86 years old.
However, she has been a steady pillar in Great Britain, and continues to
represent the qualities England stands for – strength and resilience. “Keep
calm and carry on”. The motto is
everywhere, on bumper stickers, coasters, plaques, and signs. They can’t say it enough!
Queen Elizabeth
II never intended to be Queen.
When she was just 11 years old when her life changed dramatically. Her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated
the throne and then her father, King George VI, died suddenly leaving her to
become Queen at the young age of 26.
She was thrust into power and has reigned ever since ~ 60 years and
counting. The amazing thing is
just about everybody loves her. Her popularity rating has remained steady over
the decades and she has become a fixture in British history.
The time has come to celebrate!
The jubilee began on Saturday with a day at the races,
the Epsom
Derby, which is a passion of her Majesty. She has been in attendance every year since her coronation
in 1926. It is said to be her favorite event and goes in her diary the
first of January. Of course, this
was a ticketed event so we were not there, but we celebrated at school on Friday
with our own Jubilee flag raising. The
whole school, all 1,460 students gathered around the flagpole while we raised
the English flag and sang “God Save the Queen”. It was memorable indeed.
Sunday marked the pageantry of boats down the River Thames. The flotilla was a scene not to be
missed. We traveled downtown and
lined the banks, right at Vauxhall Bridge (just two stops up from the famous
Tower Bridge). We arrived at 10 am
and we were armed with snacks, games, camping chairs and even a disposable step
ladder – a tip picked up from the Royal Wedding. Five hours flew by and the flotilla began at 2:30 pm sharp. One thousand boats led the parade and
was followed by the Herald Barge, which carried eight giant bells, one named
after each senior member of the royal family. There was the royal Row Barge, which looked like a huge
gondola. That was a site to
see. The 56 rowboats each carried
a flag from the commonwealth and spanned the River Thames. The Queen and royal
family came downstream on the newly refurbished Spirit of Chartwell.
They were stunning and the site was picture perfect. We didn’t stick around for the rest of
the flotilla because we had to get home so we could get back for a Jubilee river
cruise. However, I heard the steamboats
and the Dunkirk war ships were spectacular. We toured the city at night and saw London all dressed up in
colorful red, white and blue lights.
The union jack was everywhere – on jackets, street signs, billboards, and
more!
The concert was something I could have never imagined, and I
only viewed it on the telly from my living room settee. They set up a stage in front of the
palace, surrounding Queen Victoria’s statue, and the audience filled the circle
and the long stretch of the “mail” (mall). They show cased many artists from Sir Paul McCartney,
Sir Elton John, Shirley Bassey, Stevie Wonder, Madness, my favorite Ed Sheeran,
and more. What was most impressive
was the light show they projected onto Buckingham Palace, which took on many
facades of the different houses in England – perfectly paired with Madness’
song “My House”, which they sang from the rooftop of the palace. It was a spectacular image. The night ended with Price
Charles giving a fitting thank you speech, and the Queen lighting the final
beacon of light across the Commonwealth.
I think what was most memorable was the sentimental feelings
the concert conveyed. It spoke to
the Queen as well as the world, with multiple tributes, and heartfelt lyrics
and music. The music was dynamic
and grew louder as the night went on. The Queen was said to enjoy herself despite the fact her
husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, was “taken unwell and was in hospital” as
Charles annouced. She showed no
sign of distress. Stay calm and carry on.
Tuesday, the final day concluded with a national service of Thanksgiving
at St. Paul’s Cathedral followed by a horse-drawn carriage procession
back to Buckingham Palace, and then a balcony appearance to see the 60-gun salute
and flyover. Wow, they
sure know how to party. I am
exhausted and I only attended one event.
The Queen must be smashed, as they say. The party is finally over, but the Queen will reign on.
Lyrics to God Save the Queen:
God
save our gracious Queen
Long
live our noble Queen
God
save the Queen
Send
her victorious
Happy
and glorious
Long to
reign over us
God
save the Queen
Three cheers for her Majesty, “Hip, hip, hooray. Hip, hip, hooray. Hip, hip, hooray.”
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