gillsherryauthor
THANK YOU MA’AM Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Gill Sherry
Can you imagine doing the same job for 70 years? It’s inconceivable isn’t it? Yet, that’s exactly what Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has done. I appreciate it’s not your average nine-to-five role but even so, it’s still a huge commitment and an amazing achievement.
I wasn’t even born when her coronation took place in 1953. I do, however, remember her Silver Jubilee in 1977 when parties and parades took place all over the United Kingdom (and beyond) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her accession to the throne. I may only have been nine years old, but I can still picture the Union Jacks that decorated almost every home in the land. The Queen’s Golden Jubilee was equally memorable and was celebrated internationally. As was her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 which marked 60 years on the throne. It was a year of double celebration as it was also 65 years since she had married Prince Philip, their blue sapphire wedding anniversary taking place later in the year.
Understandably, the Platinum Jubilee promised to be even more memorable. And why not? Queen Elizabeth II is the first British Monarch to celebrate 70 years of service. A special extended bank holiday weekend allowed the people of the UK to mark the occasion and celebrate the historic milestone. With Her Majesty recently having to withdraw from some official engagements due to ‘mobility issues’ it was an absolute treat to see her waving from the Palace balcony, albeit without the Duke of Edinburgh by her side. The Duke had been a constant source of support throughout the Queen’s reign until his death in April 2021 at the age of 99. The highly anticipated family gathering on the first day of the celebrations wasn’t quite the same without him. That said, she was still able to enjoy the spectacular RAF fly-past, perfectly choreographed by Spitfires and The Red Arrows.
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JUNE 2022
