Enduring monarch saluted
A bumper roster of celebrations to mark the Queen’s exceptional 70-year reign includes street parties, a military parade, a pop concert at Buckingham Palace and even an extra bank holiday.
However, despite excitement across the country, today’s milestone will pass without fanfare for the Queen, who will spend the day in quiet reflection at Sandringham in Norfolk.
The Accession Day anniversary also marks the death of her father, George VI, and, with added poignancy, this year is her first without her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died last April. There will be no public appearances.
A series of royal gun salutes across London tomorrow will note the start of a year of celebrations in honour of her 70 years of service to the nation and the Commonwealth, including New Zealand.
In newly released footage and pictures to mark the occasion, she is seen looking at some of the entries received for the upcoming national pudding competition. She has also spent time admiring jubilee gifts through the ages, from a children’s finger painting received 20 years ago to a fan gifted to her great-great-grandmother.
Britain’s senior faith leaders, including including the Archbishop
of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, and the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, gathered to show their support for the Queen and the jubilee beacons in June.
More than 1500 beacons will be lit across Britain and the Commonwealth on the first evening of the four-day Platinum Jubilee Weekend, having become a traditional way of marking significant royal events over the years.
Bruno Peek, pageantmaster of the beacons event, said: ‘‘It is wonderful to see the range of support for beacon lighting from the UK’s faith communities. By lighting beacons, we will be highlighting
both the diversity and the unity of the nation.
‘‘The Queen has lit up our lives for 70 years through her dedicated service and commitment to our multifaith nation. We would like to light up the nation and the Commonwealth in her honour.’’
The Queen recently admired a display at Windsor Castle that included items from her Golden Jubilee in 2002. Among them was A Recipe for a Perfect Queen ,by Chris, 9. The ingredients included ‘‘a dash of loyalty’’, ‘‘a handful of royal waves’’ and ‘‘500ml of royal blood’’.