God Save the Queen
It was on this day, February 6, in 1952, that Princess Elizabeth became Queen. Her father, King George VI, died unexpectedly while she was in Kenya on her way to New Zealand. She returned to Britain as the Queen at age 26 to take up her duties which she has admirably fulfilled for 60 years. She has no plans of retiring soon. She is the 40th British Monarch since 1066. Britain has always been monarchy except for a few years when it killed its king and tried to be a Republic. She is the second longest reigning Monarch. Only Queen Victoria reigned longer. Queen Elizabeth may eventually surpass this record.
I think I remember that day so long ago. My mother was very interested in the Royal family, her parents being British. I am sure she was very attentive, listening to the reports on the radio.
I suspect the Coronation, the next year, was the inspiration for us to get a television, just as my grandfather was finally convinced to get a radio, years before, so he could listen to Amos and Andy and share in the discussions about the show with his co-workers. The Coronation was the first one broadcast on TV. The Queen has not been one to shy away from the use of new media over the years.
Here is a brief video highlighting the events of Queen Elizabeth's reign.
This year there will be many celebrations of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee across the Commonwealth. Most of the events will be held in and around London, England in June.
It would be an interesting time to visit London. Here is a newspaper account of the major activities. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/queens-diamond-jubilee-poised-to-outdo-royal-weddings-pomp/article2327411/
For those of you who need a refresher course on the Queen and the Royal family you can find it here. Also some historic photos here
With any luck the Queen will stay in good health and reign for many more years, after all her mother the Queen Mom lived to be over 100 years old. God Save the Queen!
posted by Tossing Pebbles in the Stream @ 9:20 a.m.
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6 Comments:
My hunch is that she will outlive Victoria, Philip. Given what could have happened to the monarchy in the 30's, she -- and her father and mother -- have been a blessing.
This year will be a BUSY year to visit London, what with the Jubilee and the Olympics.
And if one can swing the airfare, the hotel situation is horrendous. There are reports that landlords are evicting apartment residents so the landlord can cash in.
Anyway, yes--God save the Queen. I recall many a time of singing that anthem.
I remember watching Queen Elizabeth's coronation on TV in my elementary school classroom in Colorado. I'm glad we got to watch it, given how old I will be the next time someone is crowned in England. God save the Queen.
I hope Helen Mirren also lives long, so she can play her again. :)
I wish her good health and happy celebrations. What an interesting history to review!
I remember listening to the Coronation when was a kid... we did not have a TV yet. Like many of us, I can't remember there not being a queen...
Long live the Queen!
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