I'm in complete awe of Queen Elizabeth II after considerable research about her. There will probably never be another Queen to equal or even come close to her. She's a remarkable lady, and worthy of admiration.
In my collection of memorabilia about the Queen is an April 24, 1944 LIFE Magazine commemorating her 18th birthday. The article stated in normal times [England was engaged in WWII] she would have been the country's first debutante that year. There would have been spring courts at Buckingham Palace, a great ball, and big garden parties, but all that was lost to the 18 year old Princess.
~ Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor ~
Elizabeth plays the piano, sings, draws, dances [she loves the ballet], swims, is a good shot, and loves horseback riding. She still rides at 90!
Her 'actual' birthday is April 21, while her 'official' birthday will be celebrated on June 11th when the annual Trooping of the Colour parade will take place.
[Internet Photo]
How will she celebrate her actual birthday? She'll spend most of the day at Windsor Castle, but she and the Duke of Edinburgh will go on a walkabout in Windsor to greet the public.
At 12:00 noon gun salutes will be held at saluting stations across the U.K.
In the evening she'll light the first in a chain of about 1,000 beacons across the U.K. and worldwide to mark her birthday.
Below is one of the postage stamps that will be issued to commemorate her 90th birthday - four generations of Windsor Royals.
[Internet Photo]
Since Elizabeth II came to the throne, there have been 12 U.S. Presidents and she has met them all except Lyndon B. Johnson.
When the Queen visited the United States in July 1976 for the Bi-centennial of our Independence, she said in a speech in Philadelphia, "I speak to you as the direct descendant of King George III" noting that "July 4th should be celebrated as much in Britain as in America... in sincere gratitude to the Founding Fathers... for having taught Britain a very valuable lesson. We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship 'to know the right time, and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep'... We learned to respect the right of others to govern themselves in their own ways..." As she sailed out of Boston on Britannia she said she was reminded of the good that can flow from a friendship that is mended.
The Queen enjoys visiting the United States and during her six decades on the throne she's visited America 11 times [both officially as well as personal holidays]. Because of her equine interests she's visited Kentucky multiple times. She felt so much at home in Kentucky that a courtier said he saw an informality and gaiety in her there that he had never seen in England.
God bless you, Queen Elizabeth II!
[Internet Photo]
Long live the Queen! Her mother lived four months past her 101st birthday, so another celebration on the Queen's 100th birthday is possible.
Raising my teacup to Her Majesty [her favorite teas are said to be Earl Grey and Darjeeling]. Former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said it best, "...You are, simply, the Best of British."
What a lovely post, Phyllis! You have shared some wonderful information about the Queen. We here in Canada belong to the British Commonwealth so we always celebrate her birthday. She has made many visits to our country and here to the Island as well. Once when I was a girl, we had a big parade, and I was standing on the sidewalk caught up in the excitement as the Queen drove by in her convertible. She looked right at me, smiled and waved. It was a highlight for this little girl at the time. Happy Birthday, Queen Elizabeth! And thank you, Phyllis, for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
I do admire this lovely lady and wish her a very happy birthday! And I love the picture of her in the red coat and hat, as well as the new one with the children. I shall go brew a cup of Earl Grey in her honor shortly. I hope we will celebrate her 100th birthday, too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post...I have also...how can one not! Ordered the tea last week too...many more happy years to Her Majesty and her many loyal supporters...including you and me!
ReplyDeleteRuth
What a nice tribute that was, Phyllis. And isn't the picture of her with the grand and great-grandchildren just adorable? May she reign many more years!
ReplyDeleteWe should all be in England celebrating with afternoon tea! Oh well, I'll just have my usual cuppa at home.
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