Early today June 1, 2012, Members of the Household cavalry and others who will be part of a London procession by the Queen held a dress rehearsal. It was not just that it was early in the morning, why heavy outer coats were worn. It was that damned English weather once more.
Hundreds of soldiers on horseback noisily clip clopped their way through the empty London streets as Dawn broke. We could mention the cost, which sooner or later will need to be addressed, but perhaps for the next few days we will ignore austerity talk. In spite of the scheduling of the rehearsal road closures were necessary. Those who will be in London during this first week of June 2012 may be well advised to check travel arrangements before travelling. It is a public holiday. Some people will still have to work but public transport for example will only be a limited service. Many services will operate a Sunday reduced timetable Monday June 4 and Tuesday June 5.
There will be many programs especially aired for this Jubilee celebration. Most will be simply more of the usual. Tonight however on BBC there will be an unusal glimpse into the Royal Family.
It comes courtesy of Prince Charles and a selection of home movies. Over the years there have been claims that the Princes and Princesses of British Royalty were often almost ignored, foisted into the care of nannies and the like. The movies shot in 1957 show a very young Prince Charles and Princess Anne enjoying a summer holiday with their parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
There will be no getting away from the fact that it was a privileged childhood but it will show many similarities to other young children and their parents. Charles and Anne buried up to their neck in the sands, whilst one of the family corgis poses between, could be a snap from any person's album.
The footage though includes early shots of Charles aged around one- years-old. The now so much older Charles was shown heartily enjoying the old films. His mirth was genuine.
Republicans in the UK will grimace at this weekend's events and a flurry of bookings for a vacation abroad are anticipated. However you can avoid the celebrations without spoiling the events for those inclined to participate.
The State Procession for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee will be held Tuesday June 5, 2012. It includes a Service at St Paul's CathedralThe Royal Home Movies will be shown on the BBC at 8pm Friday June 1, 2012




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