Hope that spectacular Jubilee celebrations will inspire Britons to strive to do their duty
SIR – If the Platinum Jubilee celebrations could be summed up in one word, that word would be duty: the Queen’s duty carried out so faultlessly and uncomplainingly for 70 years; the duty also so perfectly performed by other members of the Royal family and by thousands of sailors, soldiers, airmen, security services personnel, police officers, organisers and support staff of all kinds, who combined to carry off the magnificent spectacle.
Is it too much to hope that it will inspire all those in the public and private sectors hitherto refusing to give up working from home, and all those drawing benefits while not seeking to take up any of the thousands of job vacancies now available, to realise how dramatically the fortunes of their nation would be transformed for the better if they too strove for optimum performance of duty?
David Cockerham
Bearsted, Kent
SIR – What a wonderful day we all enjoyed on Thursday. The sun shone, the Queen beamed, the military parades and the fly-past entertained us royally.
The huge crowds along the Mall were impeccably behaved and, might I say, very well dressed, too – men in suits and ladies in pretty summer frocks.
Linda Major
London SW15
SIR – The walking stick that the Queen used while standing to see Trooping the Colour may have been a special gift from the Army (report, June 3), but the one favoured and relied upon for all events that required her to walk was the very special thumb-stick presented to her by the RAF Regiment. Squadron Leader Jerry Riley (retd) Edinburgh
SIR – I lost count of the number of times the BBC, during its coverage of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, reminded viewers that there are people who don’t agree with these celebrations.
Why did the BBC need to mention this? We are well aware of the existence of those who hate the monarchy – a noisy minority.
Can’t we at least forget them for a few hours?
Stefan Badham
Portsmouth, Hampshire
SIR – It would appear that I live in the socialist republic of Kirklees.
In Huddersfield, there were no flags flying or bunting in the streets – in fact nothing to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. A disgrace. David Sisson
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
SIR – I will not be making the Jubilee trifle, cheat’s or otherwise (Letters, June 2), due to the inclusion of jelly.
Jelly in a trifle is an abomination introduced to make it acceptable to children, and should never be included when it is served to adults. It is certainly not fit for a queen.
Amanda Rowlands
Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire