Charles and Camilla, man arrested

12/11/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
No sooner had we written a brief report regarding Prince Charles and Camilla's Diamond Jubilee visit to the Antipodes than we saw a man had been arrested for planning to attack the Royal couple. The pair have just completed their visit to Australia and are now visiting New Zealand.

The man accused of plotting to attack Charles and Camilla is a 74-year-old known anti royalist. A Republican. As yet he has not been named.

The man was arrested a short time before  the British Royal couple arrived in Auckland. The latest news from "down under" is that the man will appear in court  "charged with preparing to commit a crime, namely assault". Whether that attack would have been throwing eggs or something more sinister we do not know. Not yet at least.

The Royal Couple have not been embraced wholeheartedly on this tour. There have been some protesters out to greet them. In New Zealand some carried signs saying "get a job". According to the BBC one said, "Get a Job Royal Bludgers", a New Zealand slang term for someone who avoids work.

Many people in the UK will agree with this we think. The Diamond Jubilee Tour has been a success but of course there have been some protesters. The media has played down any protests such as those in New Zealand and concentrated on showing happy, welcoming people.
2 Comments
 

Charles and Camilla Antipodean adventure

12/11/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
As Brits experience typical winter weather, notably rain, cold, wind and more the heir to throne and his wife have been at the other side of the World visitng the Antipodes. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have been visitng as part of the Queen's Diamond JubileeTour.

This year it was 60 glorious years since Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne. A series of celebrations cost the British taxpayer a great deal. Add to this the Jubilee tour and you are looking at ever escalating costs.

Australia and New Zealand were part of the old British Empire but times change. Many Australians these days are Republicans and want true independence for their country. The Australian PM has said that the tour went "delightfully well" whatever that means.

It ended last week with the royal couple getting caught in a downpour on Bondi beach. In some ways it will get the couple climatised for their return to the UK. The difference was though that it is warm in Australia right now and any such thunderstorms will be short lived.

It had been so hot and humid during their visit that one military policeman fainted as a parade took place. The Royal pair are now in New Zealnad for the last lap of this Antipodean tour.

Nice work if you can get it, say we!
2 Comments
 

Queen Elizabeth II 60 glorious years

06/02/2012

3 Comments

 
Picture
Yesterday, February 5, 2012, the Queen and some members of the British Royal family were cheered on by well wishers as they attended Sunday church service on the Sandringham estate. In truth the crowds were smaller than perhaps was anticipated but severe weather had took its toll. Of course it was not extreme weather in the great scheme of things but enough snow for the usual mayhem that follows such events in the UK to occur. In many ways yesterday was the start, proper, of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

60 years ago today young Elizabeth heard the sad news of her father's death back home in the UK. She and her husband of four years, Prince Philip, were on vacation in Kenya. When the news was telephoned through to the royal party it was some time before the Queen was actually informed. A code used to inform the party was misunderstood causing some delay. In the end Philip broke the news to his wife. 

For the Queen this year will be a time for celebration but tinged with the sadness of that day. By and large her reign has been successful and she has weathered the changing times and life's trials and tribulations quite well. The lowest point for the popularity of the monarchy probably came with the divorce of Charles and Diana, revelations about his long standing affair with his now wife Camilla and the death of Diana. Many people still believe that Diana died as some part of a royal conspiracy.

Prime Minister Tony Blair in many ways "saved" the royals during this time. Out of step with many Republican Labour politicians he saw the worth and value of the crown. He admired the Queen and did all he could to offer support and guidance during this time. He has since been snubbed on more than one occasion by the same family. He was noticeable by his absence at the wedding of William and Kate yet other past Prime Ministers were all too evident.

This blogger may tend toward the Republican view, even with age, but many people around the world will enjoy the splendour of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. The celebrations will be held early in June. Before then though there will be various events up and down the country for those so inclined to enjoy.

The Queen has been on throne all through this blogger's lifetime. Memories drift back to the mid 1950s and a visit to our city by the Queen. With an ardent Royalist Mother of course we were taken to see the Queen.  In reality all we had was a glimpse of a smiling young woman waving as the black limo sailed past. It was enough though for Mum and the others who had turned out in force. The effort of dressing the children in Sunday best, with the girls resplendent with red, white and blue ribbons, in their hair was rewarded by that wave and smile. The weather was kind but, had it not been, nothing would have stopped us attending.

Time's have certainly changed but the Queen in so many ways has remained steadfast for 60 years. 60 Glorious years? Yes, I guess so.
3 Comments
 

UK Diamond Jubilee 60 glorious images

03/02/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
2012 is Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee . It is 60 years since she came to the throne of Great Britain and its realms, following the death of her beloved father. As she and her husband, Prince Phillip, prepare for a wide ranging series of public events this year, an exhibition of 60 of the most evocative images of the Queen's reign has gone on display.

The images may have been carefully selected but they do show a warmer side to the Queen. They include images with family members, including the late Princess Diana, meetings with famous people from around the globe and highlights from her many world tours and state visits.

Royal photographer Arthur Edwards has said the his best images are those when the Queen smiles. He has said that her smile radiates and can make that extra special shot.
Queen Elizabeth II replaced her father, King George VI, as monarch following his death on 6 February 1952.

The exhibition is being held at Windsor Castle and will run from February 4, 2012 until October 28, 2012. Book online here
Add Comment