Jubilant Jubilee

Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for 60 years ( through 12 American Presidents, only 3 years less than Queen Victoria,  almost as long as I’ve been alive).  I‘ve been in England over this Jubilee Weekend, staying with cousins in Windsor, just a short walk from the castle and from the Long Walk --the 3 mile treed avenue from Windsor Castle.

Windsor Castle, statue of  Queen Victoria

Long Walk -- Windsor Castle in distance

In the Great Park -- 5000 acre deer park

 It’s been a weekend of celebration, jubilation, unbelievable crowds, some appalling weather, pomp and grandeur,  a thousand boats on the Thames, huge names in the music business (Cliff Richard, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Tom Jones, Annie Lenox, Shirley Bassey, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Stevie Wonder…..) performing  a concert in her honor in front of Buckingham Palace,  fabulous fireworks,  the lighting  of over 4,000 beacons across the world, countless street parties, red white and blue bunting everywhere, shop windows bedecked for the occasion.   A tremendous outpouring of love and admiration for this small woman of 85, who has ruled with such grace and dignity for so many years. 

special cakes for the Jubilee

special  30th birthday cake for Lexie  (my cousin's daughter)

 “Stay Calm and Carry On” is an oft quoted saying of the Queen (even crops up on T-shirts and tea-towels).  In these economically troubled times, her constancy and stoicism seem a symbol of hope and reassurance.   And her stoicism was certainly put to the test this weekend.  She remained standing  on the Royal Barge for the entire trip along the Thames.  They estimate 1.2 million people lined the banks and bridges to watch the pageant.   It was cold, windy and there was a terrific downpour.  The Queen did not sit on her red throne, she did not go below decks, she did not have a hot drink.  She stood, regally in her beautiful white outfit and waved and smiled the entire time. Her husband, Prince Phillip, 91, stood at her side, erect beneath his array of  badges and medals.     

We, on the other hand,  eschewed the crowds and jammed trains and lousy weather, and, instead, slouched on couches watching the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle on TV.  We colonial cousins did our patriotic bit by drinking Bucks Fizz (champers and OJ for those who don’t know it by this name) and wishing the Queen had something warmer to wear.

The following day Prince Phillip was taken to hospital, but the Queen  (in true form) came to the Jubilee concert looking impeccable and rested while she listened to Elton John’s performance and Paul’s belting out of “Ob-la-di”.  Prince Charles made a speech to honor his mother and  announced that his father was in hospital. The flag-waving crowd of tens of thousands began to chant “Phillip, Phillip”.  I think we all felt the emotion that played across the Queen’s face. 

The concert concluded with the Queen lighting a beacon with some fancy diamond-shaped device.  Beacons had been lit minutes before all over the country.  One was lit up by the Copper Horse  at the end of the Long Walk .  It was after 10 pm.  We walked in the gathering dark through ancient oak trees.  A full moon hung heavy and golden at the brow of the hill.  The monumental copper horse reared into the night, verdigris green in the uplights.  The huge raised beacon burned, crackled and showered sparks.    The moon rode in the vast sky, the turrets of the distant castle were floodlit, space stretched below us and above.  Groups of people clustered at the foot of the horse and at the perimeter of the beacon.   We looked insignificant alongside the heft of the grand statue and the reach of the ancient trees.  We looked so small and impermanent in the face of history and the wide open space around us.

Rider is King George III Photographer is cousin John

 

In the light of the full moon we walked back on the Long Walk.  

The horse reared behind us and the castle stood solid ahead.   

 I thought of the grand history of this nation and its historic reach.  

 I wouldn’t call myself a royalist, but I felt awed by the energy and 

enthusiasm of this celebration.   

Delighted to be right here, right now,

Proud of the Queen.