When you wake each morning do you have that ‘Monday morning feeling’ even on a Wednesday or do you leap out of bed ready to face the world with renewed vigour? Just how dedicated are you to your job/way of life and when the going gets tough, will you bail out or keep going even in the face of adversity? 

With 60 years of dedicated service to the country and Commonwealth, can there be a more dedicated and committed person than Queen Elizabeth II?

2012 will mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and with only one other monarch reigning longer than this (Queen Victoria ruled for 63 years), it is a remarkable achievement.

It was in 1936 that 10 year old Elizabeth Alexandra Mary realised her future had changed irrevocably, when following the abdication of her Uncle Edward, her father Prince Albert became George VI King of England.

HM has seen a great many changes since she came to the throne in 1952; the country was still suffering the after effects of the Second World War and whilst King George had shown true solidarity during the war years, it was now up to Elizabeth to start with a clean slate and enthuse her people once more.

During her reign she has seen technology and commerce evolve and grow at a rapid rate, but conversely she saw the shrinking and demise of the British Empire when colonies and territories gained their independence. Knowing this was an inevitable and completely right course of action, she continued to play an important role in the world’s economic and cultural revolution.

During her recent address to both Houses of Parliament, she said: “....I have been privileged to witness some of that history and with the support of my family, rededicate myself to the service of our great country and its people....”

From day one, Elizabeth was determined to reign with a difference and it was due to her insistence that the Coronation on 2 June 1953 was broadcast on TV to 227 million viewers.

And whilst many believe the ‘reaching out’ to people is a modern phenomena started by Princess Dianna, Elizabeth was the first royal to break with protocol on many occasions e.g. during a visit to a Nigerian leper colony in 1956, she held the hand of one of the lepers.

Then in 1969 the BBC filmed the first ever royal documentary letting the public see just what she did on a day to day basis and with her first ‘walkabout’ during a trip to New Zealand in 1970, she was laying the foundations for a more open and personable royal family.

There have of course been difficult times; 1992 was a particularly bad year with a fire at Windsor Castle, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew’s failed marriages and Princess Anne’s divorce.

During a speech she gave at the Guildhall she said: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure........ it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’...”

However, the celebrations to mark her 50th year on the throne were testament to her continued popularity.

Then in 1997 following Princess Diana’s death, she was accused of being out of touch with public feeling. But her delayed return to London was to avoid the frenzy of public emotion that the young princes would have faced and when they did return, it was to a calm and dignified atmosphere, representative of the personal qualities the Queen has maintained throughout her life as a constitutional monarch.

So after 60 years on the throne it is time to celebrate the personification of the steadfastness and reliable constancy we all crave.

Congratulations Your Majesty!

Information

• There will be an extended bank holiday weekend (2nd – 5th June); here are some of the highlights:
• Sunday 3 June:
• The Big Jubilee Lunch;
• The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant when a 1,000 strong flotilla of boats will move down the River Thames alongside the royal barge Gloriana.
• Monday 4 June:
• BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace;
• The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons; 2012 beacons will be lit across the nation.
• Tuesday 5 June:
• Service of Thanksgiving to be held at St Paul’s Cathedral.

There are a great many other events taking place, a good starting point is http://www.thediamondjubilee.org where you can also send a message to Her Majesty.