Saturday Special

This video is amazing.

Enjoy!

THE DIAMOND JUBILEE

THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE 2012

(picture courtesy of the Official Website of The British Monarch)

1952. I remember it well but for a different reason. It was the year I got badly burnt and because I was taken up with trying to recover from the terrible experience I didn’t pay much attention to the news. Yes, I knew the King had died and I mourned his passing but Princess Elizabeth’s accession to the throne passed by as ‘just another bit of news’. 

I did watch her being crowned, though, on 2nd June1953. My then boy friend and I watched it on a television set in a shop window.

It was a busy road with lots of shops and a good many shoppers, many of whom viewed the Coronation alongside me. It wasn’t the usual sort of thing to do on the local High Street but we were actually watching two rare events, live television and the crowning of a new Monarch. Not too many of us owned a television or had previously witnessed a crowning ceremony. Not a bit like today when anything goes and nothing is a surprise.

It was quiet emotional seeing the princess looking so serious and I remember thinking she was very brave to wear that heavy crown. It looked as if it weighed a ton. I have a vague recollection of clinging to the then boy friend as if it was me needing support.

So now we have the Diamond Jubilee and I am reminded that sixty years only seems like yesterday. The Queen has had it good and bad over the years and sometimes I reckon she felt she couldn’t do anything right. Maybe that was so but I wouldn’t change anything. She’s been good for my country and I love her to bits. I hope I look half as good when I’m her age.

People are planning jubilee events, including my WI. We had an ‘indoor’ street party which reminded us of the street parties that were held at the end of World War Two. I promise you, we were just children at the time! Everywhere we go now there are Union Jacks flying and the shops are displaying red, white and blue decorations and mementoes befitting the occasion, and in our famous Bull Ring, the bull wears his royal outfit.

Since William married Kate the future looks good both for the Royals and the citizens of the UK, nevertheless I hope you stay with us a bit longer, Your Majesty.