Monday 4 June 2012

Diamond Jubilee Pageant

The BBC saw fit to include shots of three or four (100 according to them) "republicans" chanting "votes not boats" or some such nonsense yesterday when seven miles of the Thames, both banks, in places 30-40 deep, hosted spectators cheering Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion marking her 60 years on the throne.

I'm sure that there are those who would prefer to elect some creep like Nicolas Sarkozy or perhaps a dictator like Hosni Mubarak than be called "subjects" but I think that, if pressed, even the republicans would admit that Liz has done a first class job.

The weather yesterday was British through and through, partly warm, partly cold, partly dry, partly tipping down. The spectacle unfolding before us was uniquely British, no swaggering warships, no goosestepping armies just a vast armada of the queen's subjects, volunteers every one of them, rowing or paddling, powered by steam or more modern fuels.

The queen came to the throne the year before I was born. I've only been doing my job 40 years and it's one I chose for myself.

2 comments:

  1. Despite the recognition of the fact that internet arguments are pointless, I would like to be registered as the one republican who does not admit that the queen has done a first class job.

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  2. Well, there's always one but let me point out the stipulation "if pressed" - you haven't been. You may think you have but I assure you you haven't.

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