A Jubilee Reflection
By Andrew Lannerd
There have been only eight official royal jubilees celebrated in British history and remarkably four of those have occurred during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The word jubilee means an "occasion or season of rejoicing" and "jubilate" means "to shout or make demonstrations of joy". After 70 years on the throne, many around the world (including myself) have indeed been shouting with joy in celebration of a remarkable reign.
10 years have quickly passed since The Queen's Diamond Jubilee which was so vividly celebrated in 2012. As it has been in each decade of her reign, The Queen has been a constant pillar of stability to Britain, the Commonwealth and to the wider world.
My own life has changed beyond measure in the 10 years between the Diamond and the Platinum jubilees and now Britain is my home, something that in 2012 was still just a dream.
My first "jubilee memories" were 20 years ago now in 2002 for The Queen's Golden Jubilee. While I wasn't in London for that one, I remember well viewing the celebrations and the enormous crowds in London on television. As I watched from the United States, my adult life was just beginning, yet the visions of the Golden Jubilee captivated me.
10 years later for the Diamond Jubilee, I lived every moment of the celebrations to the fullest, many spent on the streets of London. It turned out to be a wet, chilly weekend, yet the rain somehow added to the fun. I remember standing along the Thames for that glorious river pageant followed by the festive atmosphere of a jubilee fête in Battersea Park.
For that jubilee I stood along The Mall with thousands of others and can still hear the crowds chanting, "God Save the Queen, God Save the Queen!" as the carriage procession passed by. The volume reached its climax as we surged up The Mall for the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance. The crowd was immense, yet I was next to the palace gates for the iconic moment when The Queen came onto the balcony.
As the balcony appearance took place one specific moment remains etched in my mind...
It came in the form of a Feu de joire (a "fire of joy") which is a celebratory rifle salute. And it certainly was a "fire of joy".
Between the gun salutes, the crowd was shouting/singing, "God Save the Queen" yet with the third and final "FIRE" the crowd let off the loudest "HURRAH" you could imagine! It was electric.
It still gives me chills to watch the video of that balcony appearance especially since I experienced it for myself. To see The Queen's smile at the last "HURRAH" and how she beamed with gratitude captures the moment and how we all felt.
10 years on and who would have thought that we would be celebrating a Platinum Jubilee? The past two years have been challenging yet The Queen has been there throughout. Her televised broadcast to the nation at the beginning of the pandemic reassured us that all would be well, even though the outlook was grim at the time. I still remember the tears that came to my eyes as she said, "We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again." It was exactly the reassurance we needed at that moment.
During the past week I've been able to enjoy countless celebrations and I know many memories will remain with me always. From the bunting and decorations on nearly every corner to the large number of street parties. From the community spirit to the generous nature of the enormous crowds – the jubilee was a delight to behold.
Amongst it all I know a few highlights will remain etched in my mind…
· The wonder and excitement of the RAF fly-past spelling out 70 as it flew over my head.
· Being in the friendly crowd on The Mall for the Platinum Jubilee Concert and feeling the striking contrast of amazement and emotion as tributes were paid to The Queen in performance and in lights. (Who could forget the drone display?!)
· Observing the royal arrivals and hearing the bells of St. Paul's Cathedral pealing in celebration for the National Service of Thanksgiving.
· Listening to the organist at Chapel Royal playing a stirring rendition of "Crown Imperial" on jubilee Sunday.
Indeed it was a jubilee to remember, and a chance to thank Her Majesty for 70 years of duty, service, and devotion.
We know we are coming towards the end of this modern Elizabethan age, yet there are few who experienced the events of this Platinum Jubilee who won't reflect upon it with a smile.
As Paddington Bear poignantly said this weekend, "Happy jubilee Ma'am, and thank you for everything".
