THIS WAY UP

THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS IN THE JOURNEY By Mike Crisolago

(AND DOWN)

QUEEN ELIZABETH II ascended to the British throne on Feb. 6, 1952, the year polio vaccines were tested, I

Love Lucy ruled the TV ratings and a German rocket physicist published a book predicting a man named “Elon” would lead a human colony on Mars. Seventy years later, as the Royal Family prepares to celebrate the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee, new vaccines are combatting the COVID-19 virus, Nicole Kidman is winning awards for playing Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos and SpaceX founder Elon Musk is forging ahead with his plan to send humans to Mars.

At 95, the Queen still rides horses, drives a car and hosts receptions. Which suggests she still plans to reprise her James Bond skydive (from the 2012 London Olympics) at the June 2 to 5 Jubilee celebrations.

Uneasy is the head that wears the crown, although the hand that wields the sword is still steady. At an event last summer, the Queen insisted on using a sword to cut a cake, because “This is something that is more unusual.”

DOWN

In the last year, the Queen has reflected on life and aging, noting that “None of us can slow the passage of time,” and “None of us will live forever.” To which a royal footman replied, “Of course, ma’am. I simply asked if you were ready to take lunch.”

As if having to deal with a son like Prince Andrew isn’t enough stress. A republican group in Britain launched a campaign called “Not Another 70” to attempt to abolish the monarchy.

The Queen remains as beloved as ever. In fact, Australia, which voted against becoming a republic in 1999, plans to rename Aspen Island as Queen Elizabeth II Island in honour of her Jubilee. Officials expect the island will soon be overrun with free-range corgis and handbagwearing locals sipping gin and Dubonnet.

God Save the Queen At the outset of the pandemic, she kept calm and carried on, channelling the resolve she honed during the Second World War. During a speech in which she championed resilience and unity, she rallied Brits and the world declaring, “we will meet again” and “better days will return.” I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Queen Elizabeth with Prince Philip, 1952