Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee
On Sunday we shall watch the Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames via the small screen. Monday, some of our neighbours are erecting a marquee in an area we call the 'the wilderness' where we shall have BBQs set up. Everyone will bring a plate of food and a bottle of wine/champagne to share. There will be games and prizes for the children.
A new stretch of our local canal has just been restored and will be open for the first time over the weekend. There will be about 40 narrow boats on the water, a band playing and lots of festivities going on.
Instead of purchasing a Jubilee tea-towel, mug or similar souvenir, how about having a 'right royal read'.
This book sounds a well-informed illustrated history, decade by decade over 60 years. The thing that sounds interesting to me is that it is stuffed with envelopes containing facsimile royal documents, fashion drawings, maps of royal tours, banquet menus and even the Queen's recipe for the pancakes that delighted President Eisenhower - a fun interactive book for children, and a bit of nostalgia for the grown-ups.
This book commemorates 60 years of great state occasions and personal family events. The clockwork mechanism of the Queen's routine. Television appearances to portraits and photographs, from clothes and jewels to her enduring love of dogs and horses.
Sally Bedell Smith delivers a much deeper portrait of a monarch we recognise instantly as an iconic public figure and of a private women about whom we know very little. This well researched biography is delightfully witty and intelligently insightful. It is a tribute to the achievements of the Queen who has reigned through challenging and changing times.
Finally Jubilee Lines edited by poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy crowns a celebratory year, full of fanfare and folderol, with lovely unfurling newly commissioned poems. There is one for every year from 1952 - 2012 by poets young and old who report on the life of the nation with joy, generosity, humour and love.
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| courtesy of the Royal Collection Trust Queen Victoria on her Coronation Day |
One of my special blog friends Kate told her followers that Queen Victoria's Diaries are now online courtesy of the present Queen. You can read them here but it is only for a short while. From July 2012, the diaries will be available only to those in the UK, and to specific libraries elsewhere. Kate said, these diaries are historical gold dust. They have only been available to a chosen few academics for a very long time. Unless you live in the UK, you have a month to read the diaries of the lady who gave her name to the Victoria era.
A very special time. I have forwarded your post to my elder Miss E, I'm sure she will be most interested in Queen Victoria's Diaries.
ReplyDeleteDear Karen - that is lovely to hear. I do hope that she may find them a useful source of information.
DeleteHi Rosemary - I am SOOOOO looking forward to watching all the celebrations and festivities. We are just as excited here in the U.S.....will have lots of news coverage on TV. I'd love to see the historical events in person, but probably more comfy at home. Plus, no traffic jams ;-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Loi
Dear Loi - it is always rather nice to be present at the big occasions. One of the reasons is because so much excitement is generated within the crowds. It is that atmosphere that is missing when viewed on the screen. However, as you say it is much more comfy at home, where you can relax on an easy chair, and help yourself to refreshments whenever you feel like it.
DeleteHope that you enjoy it and that it lives up to your expectations. One thing the British are good at is ceremony.
A great post about the Queens Jubile. I hope you have a great time with barbeque and neighbourghs.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marijke - I hope that the good weather continues. Have a good weekend yourself♥
DeleteA most interesting post Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteI have been watching the tv and will be attentive this whole week ..
Queen Elizabeth 11 ..has ruled with strength and fortitude.
I like her very much, and British Royal family.
lots of joy during this comming weekend for you ..
Enjoy it all.
val
Dear Val - we have lots going on so hope the weather holds up. Enjoy watching it on the TV - some nibbles to hand and a glass of wine.
DeleteHa! Have foiled the dastardly Wordpress gremlins and am commenting via my iPhone! What a fantastic set of reading for the jubilee: I have not read oneof these yet, but may well mosey along to the bookshop over the weekend to get one. Thanks for spreading the word: the diaries are such an exciting resource!
ReplyDeleteClever you Kate - not sure whether it is blogger or wordpress. Both of them seem to be playing around altering how they do things. Wordpress told me I commented too quickly again today, followed it with, slow down, and then took it away, I had another shot and was successful.
DeleteOne of my followers from Australia said she has passed the link showing the diaries to her young daughter, as she thought she would be very interested.
Hope you and all of your family have a lovely Jubilee weekend Kate.
Most of the books I mentioned sound interesting, I like the idea of the facsimile documents for the children to look at.
Rosemary, this Jubilee is just too much for me! I will watch bits on TV, but... no bunting or anything, for me. I truly love this country, but I feel uncomfortable about the Royal Family and the aristocracy. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteI will watch the TV stuff with interest (the Regatta should be fantastic!) but I really feel that, at a time of severe austerity, all these celebrations will cost the taxpayer a lot of money! Though I am not British, I do pay tax.
Enjoy the celebrations, though... everyone likes to party. Why not?
Ciao
ANNA
xx
Dear Anna - you are certainly not alone in your views. I think that there is universal respect for the way the Queen conducts herself, but you are right regarding all of the money during a time of austerity.
DeleteHope you have a happy weekend, and make the most of the extra couple of days, hopeful with an outing, or relaxing in the garden.
Take care Anna, and Ciao♥
I saw your blog on Perpetua’s blog and came for a visit. I am pleased I came because I’d like to buy a book on Queen Elizabeth and you have some good reviews. I already ordered some postcards as I am a postcard collector. I hope they’ll have some good shows on our TV here in the US so we can see the festivities, especially the flotilla.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for your visit and comment. I hope that you find something suitable from the books I mentioned. Good reading, and enjoy watching the Jubilee on the small screen.
DeleteThe book of poetry sound interesting Rosemary. I wish you a happy celebration this weekend. I am going to rest from my busy week. hugs sweet friend, olive
ReplyDeleteDear Olive - hope you, Joe and CC have a relaxing weekend together.
DeleteThe poetry book attracts me too, I shall get it on Amazon.
This morning has commenced with a mist, hope it clears up. We do need rain, but preferably not this weekend.
Take care Olive♥
Hello Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteThis must be a great weekend for you! For me it's just fabulous to see and hear about all these festivities.
Have a wonderful weekend my dear!!!
XX
Jérôme
P.S. Thanks for all the sweet comments on my blog, it's makes my always happy.
Hello Jérôme - Hopefully you will be able to watch the pageant on TV, if so, enjoy. Thanks for your lovely comment.
DeleteDear Rosemary - I look froward to perusing Queen Victoria's diaries in the coming month, and I will be watching the Diamond Jubilee Celebration with interest, as well. Have a splendid weekend!
ReplyDeleteHope that you find the diaries of interest Mark.
DeleteThe Jubilee has got off to a rather dull start on the weather front. Lets hope it is bright and sunny tomorrow for the river pageant.
Thanks for your good wishes.
It all sounds very exciting! Thank you for reminding me, I want to watch the celebration on TV tonight ( on BBC ) and that little secret information about Victoria's diaries... going there now!
ReplyDeleteDear Demie - hope you enjoy looking at the diaries and find somethings of interest to you. The river pageant begins at 2.00pm our time, 3.00pm with you. I do not know whether you can see it live or not, perhaps you will see a recording. Either way hope you enjoy it. The skies emptied lots of rain last night, much needed for the garden, but hope it will not carry on during the day.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteGreat post about the Queens Jubilee. Hope you've had a great weekend and I also hope you have a great time on Monday.
Wish you a wonderful Sunday.
Hugs from Mette
Dearest Mette - the sun is out and we are about to settle down in front of the TV with drinks and nibbles to watch the royal pageant. Hope the rain stays away. Hope things are improving for you and that your husband is making good progress.
DeleteHi there Rosemary! Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog and for following. You have an interesting blog yourself and I really like all your flower pictures below. Hope you have had a brilliant week!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and your kind comments. Hope you will call again. Enjoy today.
DeleteVery interesting! It seems you are having an exciting time there! I wish I could watch it all as well and I really envy you! Thanks for your hint about the diaries of Queen Victoria. I will check it out! Enjoy these special days and I hope the sun is shining in the whole of the UK. Christa
ReplyDeleteYou could probably have guess Christa. We have had nearly 3 weeks of wonderful hot sunshine, and today what should happen, but rain. Nevertheless the British public were not dampened by it, they waved their little flags and cheered!!!
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