The Queens Jubilee

many, I will be watching the Parade etc with pride at a time when our troubles are many and solutions few.

A heartwarming story told on T.V. this morning deserves a mention.

Somewhere up North, a middle aged Woman has been collecting Royal memorabilia for 35 years , unbeleivable!!!! You name it , she has it. Anyway, for the period
up to the end of the Jubilee celebrations she put some tables and chairs in the Room and opened it up as a Tea Room and at precisely 3pm she plays
a recording of the National Anthem and everyone stands up and joins in,

One day 3 Women refused to stand up and were asked to leave. The Tea Room is a huge success although small, I love this story.

7:06am UK, Friday June 01, 2012

Rhiannon Mills, Sky News reporter

Thousands of servicemen and women braved the early morning chill in London in preparation for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

They gathered at Wellington Barracks in London at 3.30am for one final rehearsal ahead of Tuesdays carriage procession, which will provide the grand finale to the weekend's events.

As the rest of London was sleeping, the Sovereign's guard and the historic carriages moved through Parliament Square and up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square.

They then proceeded onto The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, following the same route they will take with the Royal family.

More than a thousand personnel from all three services lined the route, on foot and on horse back, creating an extraordinary dawn chorus through the quiet streets of the capital.



The troops were up at the crack of dawn to avoid causing any disruption

With thousands of spectators expected to gather along the route on Tuesday afternoon, this was a chance for the organisers to put the finishing touches to the military display before they are watched by a worldwide audience.

The procession will be the colourful climax to the four-day Diamond Jubilee celebrations, with carriages, cascading gunfire and military bands expected to provide a glittering display.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the 1902 State Landau carriage used by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after their wedding.



The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will also take part in the procession in different carriages.

Once they arrive at Buckingham Palace the Queen will be joined on the balcony by other members of Royal family to witness an RAF fly past and the Feu de Joie (fire of joy) - a rifle display performed by the Queen's Guard set to the National Anthem.

The only time it has been performed for the Queen previously was for her 80th birthday.

Members of all the armed forces were involved in the dress rehearsal including the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the Household Cavalry, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Royal Air Force Colour Squadron, along with livery from the Royal Mews.

Jun 1, 2:17 AM EDT


Diamond Jubilee: Britain marks Queen's reign

By GREGORY KATZ
Associated Press








LONDON (AP) -- The patriotic bunting is ready, the golden carriage on standby, the boats freshly painted, the shops filled with royals souvenirs.

The normal ebb and flow of British life gives way in the next four days to a series of street parties, flotillas, outdoor concerts and finally the appearance of an elderly great-grandmother on her balcony to wave to her subjects.

The pageantry is very grand and very British. But at the heart of the Diamond Jubilee celebration is a nearly universal sense of appreciation for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, who is marking 60 years on the throne.

The queen was a vibrant young woman of 25 when she became the head of state of a faltering post-war nation. Today at 86 she remains strong of heart and stout of spirit, refusing to let age slow her pace or dim her smile, which if anything has grown more welcoming over the years.

Winston Churchill was prime minister when she became queen, and David Cameron, who wasn't even born then, is Britain's leader now. Elizabeth herself has no political role. But her royal mystique, the centuries of history she embodies and her own discreet charisma help define the very idea of Britain for the world.

Alan Watson, a member of the House of Lords who has written a book about the queen, said the Jubilee is a joyous occasion for many Britons who see the queen as a symbol of stability.

"These 60 years have been years of really dramatic change in the UK, the tectonic plates have moved," he said.

"The country has lost its empire and is no longer in the front rank of power, and I really think that change has been enormously eased by her and what she represents. My feeling is she has enabled change by her reassurance of essential continuity."

When Lord Watson joined the queen at a rain-soaked tree-planting ceremony in Richmond several weeks ago, he said he was struck by her buoyant mood as the Jubilee approached.

"I got the clear feeling that she is really enjoying things," he said. "It was pouring rain, but she really looked radiant, a happy person. I think she feels very content in herself. I think she is satisfied with how the reign has gone."

Elizabeth has weathered shaky times with her children, whose marriages have tended to break apart, and her popularity suffered after the 1997 death of Princess Diana, with some finding her response to the tragedy to be cold and out of touch with public sentiment.

The late princess was an international superstar. And the queen was seen by some as overseeing the royal push to cast her adrift after the breakup of her troubled union with Prince Charles, the heir to the throne.

But all evidence suggests the queen's connection to her subjects has recovered from those blows.

There was overwhelming support for Elizabeth at the last great celebration that focused on her role - the Golden Jubilee bash that in 2002 marked her 50 years on the throne.

The event is remembered not just for the concerts and the parties but for the spectacle of an estimated 1 million people gathered in front of Buckingham Palace to wave to the queen and say: "Well done."

Palace officials are hoping this simple show of affection will be repeated on Tuesday when the festivities climax with another balcony appearance.

They have reason to be optimistic. Newspaper polls this week suggested that affection and appreciation for Elizabeth cut across all ages, social classes and political affiliations.

For many, she is a living link to the challenges and triumphs of World War II, when she was a young princess who helped with the war effort, even learning how to drive and service heavy vehicles with the Auxiliary Transport Service.

Her staying power is impressive. Elizabeth is the oldest person to reign over Britain, and only Queen Victoria, who took the throne at an earlier age, had a longer reign.

It is of course true that some are indifferent or hostile to the monarchy, with its vast inherited wealth and status, but few question the dedication or sincerity of the queen.

"She's done a very good job," said Jean Robson, a London retiree. "She works so very hard. The family's had problems like every family, and she's dealt with them very well."

Robson said she and her family admire the royal family and its longtime role in the nation's life.

"We're very lucky to have them," she said.

Others just feel good about the queen, even if they aren't exactly sure what she does or what she's really like.

"I personally like her, I think she's like the nation's grandma," said Sarah Mills, a 27-year-old from York. "She seems like such a nice old lady. You can't really know her though, can you?"

The queen, and the royal family, have benefited in the last few years by the newfound maturity of Prince William, who married the former Kate Middleton in a spectacular ceremony last year, and Prince Harry, who has put his partying days largely in the past as he focuses on a military career.

The young princes have stepped up their official duties, at times representing the queen abroad. Their natural flair has given what had been an aging monarchy a badly needed touch of cool.

This effect has been accentuated by the former Middleton, who has brought poise and fashion flair to her new position as the Duchess of Cambridge.

She has won raves for her ability to bring new pizazz to the royals, and her presence at the Jubilee festivities is expected to produce pictures and TV images that will be seen throughout the world.

But the Duchess of Cambridge is expected to make sure she does nothing to upstage the queen at the weekend events. She is likely to focus on honoring the queen, not making her own fashion statements or drawing attention to herself in any way.

William and Harry have used rare television interviews given in the run-up to the Jubilee to emphasize that the queen is just "granny" to the younger generation. Harry described her as an active, involved parent and grandparent trying to keep track of her large brood.

He said the queen is "really very, very normal. Very relaxed. But you know, she obviously takes a huge interest in what we all do. You know, that's her children, as well as her grandchildren."

The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, are also coping with his heart disease, which surfaced over the Christmas holidays when he required emergency treatment to clear a blocked artery.

The 91-year-old has cut back slightly on his public appearances and some of his charity work, but is expected to be at the queen's side for the Jubilee events.

---

Associated Press writer Sylvia Hui contributed to this report

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

I am really getting quite excited about the Jubilee Celebrations, no one puts on a show like the Royals and this has created WorldWide interest, has
given a big boost to Tourism , Store Sales etc but most of all will be 4 days of Celebration to help us forget the gloom and doom of the recession.

I'm looking forward to seeing the home videos off the queen and the children when they were young.

I quite like the Queen and maybe even Charles and Camilla. But I can't be bothered with all the hangers on like Princess Michael and all the Lords and Ladies.

I will say that I am much more interested in the Jubilee than the Olympics. Some poor wee Greek man in North London, who has owned a greasy spoon since nineteen-oatcake, that's been called the Olympic Café for ever, has been forced to change the name. So he's just painted out the O and it will be the Lympic Café for the next fortnight. That's just plain wrong. He was there first!

The Household Cavalry were out at 3.30am this morning practicing their routine, it was apparently quite cold but the only time they have when the
the streets of London are empty.

I won't be buying fish and chips for two weeks that's for sure.

And if that don't piss you off......charging for water which WE have already paid for!!!

kitti wrote:And if that don't piss you off......charging for water which WE have already paid for!!!

What do you mean kitti?

ONE LOT THAT HOPES TO PROFIT FROM THE JUBILEE ARE THE CRIMINALS SELLING FAKE ALCOHOL.

Badboy wrote:ONE LOT THAT HOPES TO PROFIT FROM THE JUBILEE ARE THE CRIMINALS SELLING FAKE ALCOHOL.

Let's hope there are enough Policemen on duty, they will be seconded from all over the Country and hopefully will be a deterrant. We don't want Foreign visitors to think Britain is full of robbing b*****ds.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/31/world/europe/queen-elizabeth-numbers/index.html?hpt=wo_t5

this is interesting

When the Olympics start.....in some places the price off fish and chips will go up to £8.



Inside the olympic stadium , they are thinking off CHARGING for water....NOT bottled water but water coming from taps and fountains....

kitti wrote:When the Olympics start.....in some places the price off fish and chips will go up to £8.



Inside the olympic stadium , they are thinking off CHARGING for water....NOT bottled water but water coming from taps and fountains....

Thanks Kitti, doesn.t it make you sick that so many people want to make extra money. The Taxpayer will be paying for Years for the Olympics, there
are apparently 1000's of unsold tickets for some Olympic Events.

Iv'e just been watching the News about the event on the Thames, interviews with Robin Knox Johnson and other famous Mariners and I didn't realise it was going to be so spectacular. Every Country in the Commonwealth will have their own Boat, hundreds of smaller boats including those used in the
evacuation of troops from Dunkirk, many too big to go under the Bridge will line the river......absolutely fabulous !!!!! Sadly, the weather is not looking very good , showers expected .

I can't remember his name, you know, the spokesman for Gay Rights etc. He was on T.V. yesterday, criticising this "unelected Monarch", etc and saying
we should be a Republic....no way ,and this comment from Paul proves how popular the Monarchy is.

===================================================================

At its most simple, the definition of "news" is something that is new.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee falls into that category. It is new and therefore it is news.

Her Majesty is only the second British monarch to celebrate 60 years on the throne.

The last time there was a Diamond Jubilee was in 1897 for Queen Victoria.

So unless you are 115 years old (and I think I can say with confidence that I don't think any of the readers of this blog fall into that category), you won't have experienced a Diamond Jubilee before.

That's why Sky News will be devoting considerable air-time on TV, space on the website, listening time for the radio stations we serve and news, background and information on our mobile and tablet apps to the celebrations over the next few days.

From the feedback so far, it seems there are some Republican-minded people in the UK who do not want to see or hear about any of the planned events, just as there are many Royal-minded viewers overseas who will be glued to every minute of our coverage.

It was the same with the Royal Wedding last year. There will be other news during the period but we will be concentrating on the Diamond Jubilee.

There'll be live updates, expert analysis, commentary and colour from our presenters, correspondents and guests.

diamond jubilee queen royal_family sky_news
Your Comments

Sort comments by: Newest Oldest Recommended

Posted by: . . . on June 1, 2012 5:46 PMHello Paul, as you correctly wrote :
"there are many Royal-minded viewers overseas who will be glued to every minute of our coverage."

Paul, I am one of them !
God Bless the Queen, good health & longevity to her & all the Royal Family !

Best wishes for a successfull Jubilee, from a Loyal English Ex-Patriate, Jerome Webber, Israel

A special thanks to all @ Sky for the live coverage, cheers Paul !

PETER TATCHELL?

by: Albertuk on June 2, 2012 5:01 PM@guardian55..................Try not to be too upset old Boy/Girl that people like myself are celebrating the Jubilee of our lovely Queen . Try also to realise that the Queen and the Royal Family only cost you @ 60p a year out of your benefit money , 60p a year for every person in Blighty about the cost of a can of coke . Keep your chin up and don't forget God Save The Queen .Recommend (23)

This is one of the comments ....how much more per capita does the Monarchy bring in in Tourism alone !!!

I lost that link for the Celebrities if anyone can find it and post it here, thanks. It was under sky Celebrities.

Thanks Badboy, Peter Tatchell.....that's him .!!

As I am watching the preparations for the Street Parties, the Thames Pageant, I'm getting quite emotional

From the experts who refurbished the Barge, to the Musicians who have magnetised the Sheets of Music because of the rain, the Street Party
preparations which the organisers are still preparing, saying the rain will not affect their happiness at being part of it. Even a Muslim Party organised
by those who have lived in the U.K. for many years.

My favourite though is the Londoners who have camped on London Bridge , enduring the cold and the rain. Two not so young women came prepared
with sausages, bacon, bread etc , tea and coffee and they were interviewed covered in the old see through plastic Macs and headscarves. Ask why
they had camped out all night in the cold and rain one said in a cockney accent "Well it's the Queen innit, we love her and who else in the world is so
popular".

One of the Organisers of the Pageant being interviewed said every penny spent on this day was paid for out of donations from the Public ...the only
expense has been Police Security.

Indulge me today... O.K.

The Royals have arrived and Kate looks stunning in a Red dress and Hat...stopped to speak to a few people, thankfully, the rain has eased off

Panda wrote:The Royals have arrived and Kate looks stunning in a Red dress and Hat...stopped to speak to a few people, thankfully, the rain has eased off

Since her marriage to Prince William, Kate has been offered up as the modern face of royalty. She, whose great grandfather (or some such!) was a coal miner, and her oh so ordinary family is the clean, bright, fresh commoner who was welcomed into the royal circle. She has been thrown into all those public appearances to prove how 'nice,' the royals are. Hey, she wears High Street clothes! They might be costing a few hundred quid a time, but they're available to everyone! Oh yes! I'll have one in all the colours! Why was Kate chosen to accompany the Queen on a few outings? I think because of the new image the royals are presenting. Let's forget about Diana and Charles being persuaded to marry her while carrying on with Camilla. Look, it's all changed. We are a 21st Century monarchy!

And are we really going to accept that William and Kate just happened to meet accidentally in a corridor at St Andrew's? I don't. I believe there was planning and grooming behind it all.

And let's not forget Pippa, the 'rear of the year,' who has come into the limelight. She has just received a huge advance on a book about party planning, while her family runs a business providing party items. I'll bet that online party business is booming!

Do I detect a note of anti-Monarchy in your Post AnnaEsse???

I think it has been a fabulous display and if the Organisers of this massive event were in Parliament, Britain wouldn't be in the state it is in now. The
"War Horse " shown on the balcony of the National theatre was inspired. Everyone knows the Queens love of Horses and she apparently enjoyed the
film.

Shame about the weather , but everyone along the Thames , crowds on balconies etc is having a great time . There are even Venetian Gondolas !!!

We are not going to see the likes of this again and it has brought the people of Britain together like nothing else , I have enjoyed it anyway.

Panda wrote:Do I detect a note of anti-Monarchy in your Post AnnaEsse???

I think it has been a fabulous display and if the Organisers of this massive event were in Parliament, Britain wouldn't be in the state it is in now. The
"War Horse " shown on the balcony of the National theatre was inspired. Everyone knows the Queens love of Horses and she apparently enjoyed the
film.

Shame about the weather , but everyone along the Thames , crowds on balconies etc is having a great time . There are even Venetian Gondolas !!!

We are not going to see the likes of this again and it has brought the people of Britain together like nothing else , I have enjoyed it anyway.

Brought the people of Britain together? The only places in my town showing Union flags are the shops and pubs. And there are no street parties around here. Anti-monarchy? You bet. Look at the numbers of them there were for William's wedding. A whole bus load of them drove out of Buck House.

We've got a democracy that's like two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner, MPs and members of the Lords living high at our expense and who knows how many of the loafing classes living in palaces on the taxpayer. And I am expected to rejoice at the Queen and all that money floating down the Thames? No, Kate Middleton's clothes do not impress me and neither does a few million quids' worth of money going down the river when so many people I know are being made redundant.

As I mentioned earlier, the cost of the Pageant was borne by Donations, it was only the Policing that was not paid for, How much did it cost the Police to deal with the riots last year? on one of my earlier posts I quoted a comment from a sky reader saying the cost of the Royal family is 60p a week, peanuts when you think how much the Royal Family and it's history brings foreign Tourists flocking to Britain.

anyone, to each his own and this event has certainly brought the population, I don't know where you live but there a 10,000 street parties alone
across Britain .