Curiouser and Curiouser

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Impressions of the Diamond Jubilee

It was a party 60 years in the making. It was an event I’ll never see again in my lifetime. The Diamond Jubilee was remarkable. While I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the Queen and her family, what I’ll remember most are the wonderful people I met and the genuine goodwill and warm affection from the crowds for their queen and the royal family.

Some of my impressions:

Queen Elizabeth is an extraordinary woman. I’ve enjoyed watching and reading her short biographies in the press this week. She is the 40^th direct bloodline monarch since William the Conqueror. She grew up never expecting or being trained to be queen since her uncle was to be king, not her father. She became queen at the age of 25, when her father died suddenly. She was a young woman in an all male world and she more than held her own.

It was all so well organized. There were thousands of extra security and crowd control personel. There were also thousands of litter control workers wandering through the crowds picking up any litter. At the end of the 4-day long party, London looked as clean as tidy as ever.

No one does pageantry like the British. It is something that they are proud of, that binds them to their history, and is a significant part of their cultural identity. And, for the most part, the Brits love their queen and the royal family. This affection unites the country in a way that is remarkable. No matter what party is in power, or how dysfunctional their government might be, there is one thing that all of Britain can stand behind and be united about – their monarchy. This is not to say that every one loves the institution of the monarchy. There are many who don’t. That said, they still respect and appreciate the good that the royal family does for England.

I am not a fan of huge crowds. The crowds I was part of this weekend were the most well-behaved and friendly crowds I’ve ever been part of.

Favorite Signs:

"Drought, What drought! This reign has lasted 60 years!

"Elizabeth the Great! She's a diamond!"

"Your Majesty, Ma'am, Mummy -- How ever you say it, we love you!"

"We sing the words "God Save the Queen" and He has, to our tremendous benefit."

After the Jubilee, I think London is ready for the Olympics. Let the games begin.

The Mounted Guard getting ready for the escort.

The Queen's Guards heading toward Buckingham Palace

More guards and a band

The cavalry with canons getting into place

The Queen and Camila

Poor timing! Harry and William, with Kate hidden behind the post.

The crowds

Union Jacks everywhere

Crowds watching the giant screen

Watching the greeting from the royal balcony on the giant screen

St. James Park at the end

Sunday, June 3, 2012

A Party Fit For A Queen!

I went to London today, along with a million other well wishers to watch the Diamond Julilee flotilla. It was amazing -- a once in a lifetime experience. In fact, the last time the Thames has seen a flotilla of this magnitude was 350 years ago under the reign of Charles II. This is only the second time in English history there has been a Diamond Jubilee for a monarch who has reigned this long. The first was Queen Victory.

I didn't get to London at the crack of dawn to save a great spot but I did climb up on a railing and had a decent vantage point, despite the crowds. It rained in London all morning. Then, an hour before the flotilla, the rain stopped as if by divine decree and it didn't rain the whole time the Queen was sailing down the Thames. The royal barge made it all the way to the Tower Bridge before the rain began again. My perch was under a tree so I was able to stay to the bitter end without getting too wet. I made it back to Victoria Station and onto the bus back to Oxford and thoroughly enjoyed the happy, well behaved, and delightful crowds -- these aren't adjectives I generally use for crowds but today they most definitely applied.

All in all, it was a day I'll never forget. I plan to go in again on Tuesday to see the pageantry as the whole royal family parades to the palace in their fancy carriages. I'll bring a stepping stool so I can see above the crowds.

The Brits have called this jubilee, "A party 60 years in the making" and, "We say God save the queen and He has to our great benefit." It has been such a treat to be here during this remarkable party. I've posted some photos on the blog -- I wish they did the event justice. I just couldn't capture the scope and color of the pageantry and the jubilant crowds.

God save the Queen!