Since this week marks the 80th birthday of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11, I thought of 13 things I remember through the years about the Queen.
1. She was a pretty girl who grew up to be a beautiful young woman.
2. Her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947.
3. The death of her father, King George VI, and her return to England from South Africa to become Queen at the age of 26.
4. The excitement of collecting pictures of the Queen and her family leading up to the Coronation.
5. The thrill of participating in the parade in our local town in celebration of the Coronation on 2 June 1953.
6. Listening to the broadcast of the Coronation that same night on shortwave radio. There was no TV in Australia then.
7. Seeing the film of the Coronation a few months later.
8. The anticipation and thrill of seeing the Queen and Prince Philip on their first visit to Australia in 1954.
9. Admiring her portrait in most public buildings, including our school.
10. Seeing the Queen's portrait on our postage stamps back when it cost 3 pence to send a letter.
11. Keeping scrapbooks of photos of the Queen and her family, especially the children.
12. Watching the celebrations for the 40th Anniversary of the Coronation when we were in England 1993, and realising just how young she was when she ascended the throne.
13. Above all else, admiring her for her dignity, grace and strength throughout more than 50 years in this most public of roles. She has maintained these qualities at all times, at least publicly, despite many very difficult and traumatic events, particularly within her family.
From one subject in a far-flung corner of the Commonwealth, may I wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I am using auto-link to link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! Most especially comments. I LOVE comments.
18 comments:
You do have to admire her for her resilience. I'm sure I couldn't have done it, even if I had been groomed for the role.
Glad to see another Thirteener posting on Wednesday :)
Alice,
Coming from a non commonwealth country (USA), I never could quite understand the facination with the royals. My first exposure to the royals was in Canada. I do agree that the queen has always demonstrated the utmost dignity and grace. I actually look forward to the bits and peices about the Danish princess from Tasmania
Sometimes I want to move overseas...the whole Royal Family thing sounds so elegant.
This was a BEAUTIFUL post! ;)
I love this post. Happy Birthday Queen Elizabeth.
Thanks for stopping by my TT. Have a lovely day. Be Well...
WONDERFUL tribute. Great 13!!!
My T T is up
Wow, that's a good list. I didn't even know it was the Queen's birthday!
Thanks for visiting my list.
I'm with Carmen, I didn't know either. What a great memorable list. :)
This is a very interesting list. I don't really know much about her, but now I know at least 13 things. :)
Thanks for stopping by. Happy Thursday!
Thank you for that informative list, I too was unaware it was her birthday! :)
Thank you for sharing your personal memories of the Queen. It is nice to meet a new (at least to me) Thursday Thirteener.
Thanks for stopping by my T13.
I have always admired the Queen.
Between you and me I think we were a bit too quick in the US in leaving the British Empire.
My own 13 is practicing singing God Save The Queen over at http://akaenigma.blogspot.com/
I know nothing about the Queen... thanks for sharing the memories.
How very cool! What a great list! She is such an interesting lady, isn't she!
I adored your list. I bookmarked you so you don't get lost in the shuffle
Neat list Alice. I didn't know it was her birthday either. I'd hate to live a life under such scrutiny. She really has handled it all with grace.
A few weeks ago Robyn and I were discussing her visit to Katoomba. I saw her there when I was a little girl and still remember her and Prince Philip riding in the fancy car, waving. I was trying to remember the year. I think that must be it (1954). Thank you!
A lovely post about the Queen!
This is a wonderful list and takes me back to my English childhood. I was privileged to watch the Coronation procession from the Oxford & Cambridge Club, guest of the father of a school friend. The Queen smiled at me once as she was being driven along Kensington High Street in London - beautiful face, complexion and a lovely smile. That was in 1954; I was 18 and completely captivated by her. I admire her grace and diplomacy in the face of her own personal problems - how incredibly difficult it must be to live in a public goldfish bowl and be under such criticism and scrutiny. I wish the U.S. had a monarchy such as the UK does now. The pomp and circumstance that the people love and that foreign visitors expect are handled by the Royals, leaving the prime minister and cabinet to deal with the running of the nation.
Post a Comment