GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

This summer’s Platinum Jubilee marks the 70th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Her Majesty the Queen. Hannah Betts pays tribute to a truly remarkable woman

Left: Piccadilly Circus shows an image of The Queen addressing the nation at the start of the pandemic. Below: At Balmoral with Anne, Charles and a corgi

Aqueen is never not of interest. There have been only six of England, eight of England and Scotland, and even then one is forced to include Lady Jane Grey, who was actually only queen for nine days. Discrimination butterfly brooch and grass-green frock – doubtless encouraged by her friend and fellow nonagenarian Sir David Attenborough. During the Covid pandemic, it became clear why we need this cool and familiar head as leader of our nation – not a political figurehead, but a spiritual one. During the darkest days the country has endured since World War II, Her Majesty calmed against female royals only ended with us, cheered us and kept us trudging on. In April 2020, with the the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013 – previously, female uncertainties of early lockdown all about, she urged us to adopt heirs were overlooked in favour of their brothers. a Blitz spirit, echoing Dame Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again. When

Of this few, three stand out in terms she succumbed to the illness, she did so of character and longevity: Elizabeth I, with her epic 44-year reign; Victoria, who commanded for 63 years; and her ‘Admired for without drama, maintaining light duties such as congratulating Britain’s Winter Olympic curling teams. It great-great-granddaughter, Elizabeth II, who, in February 2022, entered her her embodiment would take more than coronavirus to make the House of Windsor’s great 70th year in the role. This makes Her Majesty the longest-ruling monarch in of duty, she matriarch take to her bed. The Crown’s fictionalisation of British history, allowing us to celebrate an unprecedented Platinum Jubilee. The word ‘icon’ is overused. In the personifies calm Elizabeth II’s reign got one element, at least, spot-on: her unwavering dedication. Princess Elizabeth was 25 case of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, it feels like an understatement. amid momentous when she acceded to the throne in 1952, after the death of her beloved After all, the most reproduced artwork of all time is not the Mona Lisa, nor social change’ father, George VI. At just 21, she made her pledge to the Commonwealth: ‘My Michelangelo’s David, but sculptor whole life, whether it be long or short, Arnold Machin’s bas-relief of The shall be devoted to your service.’ So Queen, enshrined on postage stamps, coins and banknotes. It steadfastly has she kept this promise that even when being has sold well over 200 billion copies since being issued in 1967 as removed as sovereign, she responds with grace and generosity, the British stamp. such as when Barbados became a republic in 2021.

Elizabeth II has travelled more widely than any other ruler. In 1947, we knew her as a beautiful, high-cheekboned bride, Admired the world over for her embodiment of duty, she her satin dress supplied by clothing-ration coupons. Today, she is continues to personify calm and consistency amid momentous the cherished great-grandmother who parachuted into the 2012 social change. Who else could have acted as the figurehead for a Olympics opening ceremony in the company of James Bond. A second Elizabethan age of chivalry and empire, yet decades later documentary following her Diamond Jubilee year revealed have morphed into a champion for equality and ecology? One images of her Balmoral sitting room: all knick-knackery, tartan thinks of her address to the COP26 climate change talks – in rugs, dog baskets, copies of the Racing Post and a cushion

Left: With the Duke of Edinburgh in 1976. Below left: Recording a message for the COP26 summit last year

From top: Arriving at Claridge’s in 1963; sporting her signature headscarf; with e King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in 2017

emblazoned with ‘It’s good to be Queen’. Her favoured breakfast was revealed as Kellogg’s cereal dispensed from Tupperware.

She is bolstered by her religious faith, and is possessed of a dry wit. She holds considered – if largely publicly unexpressed – opinions, displays physical grit, and has demonstrated a lifelong determination to embrace change, notably in her courageous approach to widowhood after more than 70 years of marriage.

Never had the British people felt for their Queen more keenly than watching her bid farewell to her beloved Philip in April 2021. We knew how much she loved her ‘liege man of life and limb’, and how incomprehensible it must have felt to put such a dynamic presence into the past tense. She is said to have been besotted from their second encounter in 1939, when she was 13, visiting Dartmouth’s Royal Naval College, where the dashing 18-year-old had been awarded ‘best cadet’. For seven decades, he was by her side. Her dignity and bravery in going on alone has moved us all.

Claridge’s has long been proud to consider the Royal Family part of its family, continuing a tradition of being the ‘annexe of Buckingham Palace’ that started with Queen Victoria. State delegations hold banquets for Her Majesty in Brook Street and the hotel has hosted many private celebrations, from a 60th birthday dinner for e Queen to a ruby wedding anniversary celebration. is Jubilee year, our heroine will be guest of honour at legions of public festivities, full of bunting and bake-o s and pomp. roughout – clad in some rainbow shade – she will smile and wave as if nothing could delight her more. And, as life returns to normal after two years of chaos, Her Majesty will see us through this next stage – as she has seen us through 14 prime ministers and countless social upheavals. Her success is testament to her ultimate triumph: whether or not we love the monarchy as an institution, we all adore e Queen, our Queen, Elizabeth R. M To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, this June, Claridge’s will unveil a selection of royal treasures from their archives, in the hotel lobby. With a particular focus on the majestic coronation activities of 1953, items include rare footage of Queen Elizabeth, photographs, original coronation menus and other Claridge’s royal memorabilia.

Right: From 30 May-12 June, Prêt-à-Portea at e Berkeley pays tribute to Her Majesty the Queen and this incredible landmark celebration. ree iconic royal fashion moments are rendered in edible form, including a crown in vanilla biscuit with ‘ermine’ icing.

Above: A fan Above: A fan created by the created by the hotel to celebrate hotel to celebrate the coronation of the coronation of King George V King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Left: With Princess Anne and Prince Charles in 1952

Right: e menu for a dinner at Claridge’s to celebrate Her Majesty’s coronation in 1953