Queen Elizabeth II & her Diamond Jubilee

Today is the last day of celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's

Diamond Jubilee!!

The Diamond Jubilee is the 60 year anniversary of a monarch's reign & has only

happened once before in England's history when Queen Victoria

celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

As I sit here watching CNN in preparation for the Queen & her family to come out

onto the balcony, I think of the history that had to happened in order to get 

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary to this moment.

She was an unlikely monarch.
Her father, King George VI, was the 2nd son of King George V,

who's eldest son Edward, was groomed to become the next King of England.

After the death of his father, Edward became King Edward VIII, but his reign

was to be short lived. He ruled England from January to December of 1936,

at which time he abdicated the throne for his American,

divorcee mistress, Wallis Simpson.

And of course as you know, that's a whole other story.  ;)

So, due to an unforeseen set of circumstances,
Elizabeth's father became King George VI.

Look at all the crowns in this picture...Yummmmy!!!

So the princess who would be Queen, started her royal journey to the monarchy.

Something I've always thought must be so heartbreaking, is the fact that in order

to become a King or Queen, your parent must die. During a time of great

sorrow, you must take on the tremendous responsibility of a nation.

But Queen Elizabeth II did it magnificently!!

She was quite a beauty at the time she took the throne...

& exudes graciousness, confidence & elegance.

The Diamond Jubilee crown made for Queen Victoria...

OMG!!!!

One of her clothing ensembles designed by Angela Kelly for her Diamond Jubilee,

it took a year to design & create.

A few of the many festivities in Queen Elizabeth's honor...

a flotilla on the Thames in the Royal barge...

the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert in front of Buckingham Palace...

{she wore earplugs, how cute...}

& a Royal Carriage Ride...all of it, fit for a Queen!

Here's the moment I was waiting for, HRH The Queen, surrounded by her royal heirs.

Having had Diana as his mother, Prince William will make a wonderful King of

the People, just as Diana was the People's Princess.

CONGRATULATIONS

Queen Elizabeth II

on your Diamond Jubilee!!!

What a magnificent achievement!

And YES...I've already ordered my Diamond Jubilee souvenirs!!!

I got the mug & the tea towel above & it was in pounds,

so God only knows how much I really spent!!! LOL

XOXO

vintagesusie