Fans f ly the f lag
Enjoying The Mall’s view... in red, white and blue
IT was quite the day for flying the flag – and wearing one too.
Sporting Union Jack party hats, flags and novelty tiaras, royal fans in their thousands descended on The Mall yesterday to enjoy the Jubilee parade – even if many had to stretch to see it.
Among the crowds were friends and former nursing colleagues Ann Aldam, 68, and Hilary Mathews, 70 – both barely 5ft tall and at the back of the throng. ‘I don’t expect to see anything, except armpits,’ said Mrs Aldam, who had travelled from Theydon Bois, Essex, with husband Peter, 69. ‘But you just want to be here and experience it. It’s a one-off and 70 years is a fantastic achievement by the Queen.’
Mrs Mathews, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, added: ‘The British are the best in the world at pageantry. It’s just not the same watching it at home on TV. You want to be here, no matter how little you see.’ At 18 months old, little James Thom was afforded a better view in the capital as he was held aloft by his mother Catherine, 34.
Also with them was James’s aunt Charlotte Braine, 31, great-aunt Judie Davidson, 69, and grandmother Alison Braine, 70. The three generations came together for the big day from across the country, and have seen a few jubilees between them.
Alison lived in London during the Silver Jubilee in 1977, and Catherine was among the crowds for the Golden Jubilee in 2002. ‘The Queen has done such a marvellous job for the country. It feels like a privilege to be here,’ said Alison, from Inverness.
And even the smallest members of the crowd put on a big patriotic show, with one dog wearing a Union Jack ribbon.