The Diamond Jubilee

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Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II on her Diamond Jubilee!  She became Queen on February 6, 1952 and her coronation was on June 2, 1953.  She was only 26 years old when she became Queen and she has been on the throne for sixty years.  The anniversary will be officially celebrated in London this weekend.   From everything I've read it sounds as if this weekend in London will be a spectacular celebration.  Maybe it's the pomp and pageantry or the thousand-year history of Great Britain with all the kings and queens who have gone before Queen Elizabeth and the continuity from one generation to another that captures my imagination, but I get goosebumps when I watch an event such as last year's wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton or anticipate this weekend's celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth.

Regent Street
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And London has gone all out for the celebration.  I have seen pictures of the streets of London festooned with flags and bunting (courtesy of Jeanne from Collage of Life) and the city looks very festive.  Many special events are planned.   On June 3rd the Queen will lead up to a thousand boats in one of the largest flotillas ever seen on the River Thames. The Thames Diamond Jubilee will feature boats from all around the world that will travel down the Thames from Putney to Tower Bridge.  The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the Royal Barge which will form the centerpiece of the royal procession.  The boats will be beautifully dressed with streamers and Union Flags and there will be many historic boats, wooden launches, steam vessels and other interesting boats.  There will also be music barges and boats spouting geysers. Specially constructed elements such as a floating belfry, its chiming bells answered by those from riverbank churches, will add to the splendor of this event.  This event sounds as if it will be spectacular!

Covent Garden 

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The "Gloriana" will lead the Thames Jubilee Flotilla
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On June 4 there will be a celebration concert at Buckingham Palace featuring some very big names from the music world, including Paul McCartney and Elton John.  On that night around the country, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and across the Commonwealth, 2012 Jubilee Beacons will be lit in honor of the occasion starting at 10pm, culminating in the Queen lighting the national beacon.  These are just a few of the many events planned for the official celebration of this historic occasion.  The weekend will include the ringing of church bells, fireworks, and music.  The events will be televised over the next few days.  Will you be watching?

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, June 2, 1953
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When Queen Elizabeth celebrates the 60th anniversary of her reign this weekend, it will be only the second Diamond Jubilee in British history.  Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 was the first. In the year 2015 Queen Elizabeth will have been Queen longer than Victoria or any other British monarch.  Many people have pointed out that that from the mid-nineteenth century to the present time --  for 123 years of the past 174 years -- the British monarchy has been dominated by two remarkable women, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.  There are several new books on Queen Elizabeth and some exciting art exhibitions related to her Diamond Jubilee happening in London right now.  I wrote about them here.

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The schedule for the Diamond Jubilee weekend:

June 2:  The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby

June 3:  The Big Jubilee Lunch, The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

June 4:  BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Beacons

June 5:  The Diamond Jubilee Weekend will end with a day of celebrations in central London, including a service at St. Paul's Cathedral, a lunch at Westminster Hall, a Carriage Procession to Buckingham Palace and finally a Balcony Appearance.

If you want to learn more about The Diamond Jubilee celebration, you can go here.
     

Have a Royal weekend and enjoy all the festivities!