Thursday, June 2, 2022

God Save Her

This is the week of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, commemorating 70 years on the the throne, Britain's longest reigning monarch and one of the longest in history of any country. 

   

I'm an  unapologetic fan of the Queen. She has done a job she was never supposed to have to do, having fallen into the role of heir apparent when her father became king following the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, to marry Wallis Simpson. 

 As a family, the Windsors called themselves "Us Four," the King, Queen and the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.


Then along came Philip, her husband until his death last year at the age of 99. 

 

When her father, George VI, died, Elizabeth came to the throne at the age of 25, her coronation at the age of 26.


Elizabeth II is a constitutional monarch -- a queen who reigns but does not rule. Her life has spanned three previous kings -- her grandfather, uncle and father -- and fourteen prime ministers. 

The Queen herself is 96 years old and despite coming down with Covid this winter and cutting back on her schedule, she's still doing official engagements, including opening the new Elizabeth Line of the London Tube several weeks ago.

Despite her recent seclusion, she has attended two Jubilee events to date and is expected to make at least one or two appearances during the upcoming events honoring her reign.

During the past 70 years, she has conducted her business with a smiling demeanor and those who write of her mention her wit and sense of humor, which isn't always seen by the public. But the smiles are plentiful.


"I must be seen to be believed," she has said to have commented about her bright, consistent wardrobe of big hats and cheery colors.

So on Thursday, my friend Carol and I will have tea to celebrate the Queen and her long years of service to a country that is my favorite in all the world. (And that includes my own.)


Long may she reign!

 

All the photos in this post have been borrowed from various social and online media posts, including Facebook, The Tatler and other sites. Some are attributed to Getty Images. If I had better sources, I'd post them!

Sharing with:   Pink Saturday    /   Love Your Creativity  

60 comments:

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

What a fun idea to celebrate with a tea! Royalty is one of those ideas that seems surprising in today's world, like seeing a black-and-white tv or a manual typewriter. Yet something about it is comforting, too.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The queen has much that merits admiration; many of the other members of her tribe not so much. I hope that In Canada we can follow the lead of Barbados and Jamaica and dump the anachronistic monarchy as part of our constitutional structure. No one that I know of is looking forward to welcoming King Charles! Even fewer are keen on Queen Camilla.

crackercrumblife said...

She is amazing! What a life she has had. And can you imagine working 70 years?

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

She looked quite fit and able on TV today when they showed her at the flyover. My VERY British grandmother wanted me named for her (my grandparents raised me from birth), so I have always looked up to her. However, the only thing that marred my feelings for her was the way she treated Diana (and Diana's death). Other than that, I hope I look as good at 96 as she does and did today. She truly IS a Queen for all to look up to.

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

Still beautiful in her colorful dresses and hats, but she has aged since Philip passed away. I hope she enjoys the Celebrations with her family.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

She's had quite the life hasn't she and handled it with grace and a good head on her shoulders.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I saw her on the news this morning, she was standing on the balcony watching the ceremony. She is amazing, with 70 years as a reigning monarch. having tea with your friend sounds like a fun way to celebrate. Take care, enjoy your day!

Pam said...

Can't even think of doing a job that long!! lol

Nancy's Notes said...

Long may she reign, indeed! I admire her sense of duty and life of service! And I love her suits and fabulous hats! Enjoy your tea time!

Steve Reed said...

She really is remarkable. I've heard a lot of British people speculate on the future of the royal family and what the monarchy will look like, but everyone agrees she has done an admirable job, even during the tough times (like Diana's death). Hard to imagine she came to the throne at 26. I feel like I was only barely an adult at that age!

anno said...

A remarkable woman, indeed. Enjoy your tea this afternoon -- Cheers!

Linda Sue said...

This is the post I have been looking for! thank you. You know that I am in your corner with Queen-ish admiration and love in my heart!!

Linda Stoll said...

my dad was from Scotland and I grew up appreciating all things British, including the Royal Family.

i love the idea of having a tea in her honor. beautiful, poignant, and just plain lovely.

enjoy your weekend. thank you for this lovely post!

R's Rue said...

The Queen is amazing.

Terra said...

Long live the Queen. I am an American who adores and admires her, she is so faithful to serving people and her country, and also looks like a fun grandma. I like her sense of style with the hats and suits in cheerful yellows, pinks, blues and greens. Bravo to her.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

What a fun way to honor the queen. I hope that you will share photos from your tea with your friend! I have learned so much about the reign of the queen through the show The Crown. I can't wait for the next season to drop. It has really shown what a toll a role like that can take on your life, family and relationships. She is a very classy lady!

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

I think many people forget this is such a historical moment which may never happen again and certainly won't in anyone's lifetime who is alive at this very moment.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Amazing woman, amazing life
Her clothes are always perfect, of the highest quality.
On TV this morning, the royals on the balcony, Prince Charles and wife are chattier than I recall seeing in the past on the balcony.

Debby said...

I like the Queen too. Nice post!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

a remarkable lady

Mae Travels said...

I hope you have enjoyed or are still enjoying your tea party to celebrate the great Jubilee. I seem to remember your celebrating the weddings of the two heirs of Charles. And I do definitely like her clothing, though her crowns are a bit over-the-top in my opinion. But then, she inherited them, didn't choose them.

As I have probably told you, when I was a kid my favorite paper doll set was commemorating Elizabeth's coronation. It had her robes and crown and so on with tabs to put on the cardboard figures. My Hollywood paper dolls all had on bathing suits to wear under the tabbed clothes -- The Royals all wore regular slim-ish street clothes that fit under the fancy dress. The only children in the set were Charles and Ann -- then maybe 7 and 3 years old. So in my mind, Andrew and Edward didn't really belong.

Have fun! best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Queen Elizabeth is certainly an amazing woman, I agree, and this was a very nice tribute. Another thing that bears mention is her military service during WWII. Not all monarchs, male or female, can add that to their list of achievements. Her colorful attire has always made her a standout anywhere.

Sandra Cox said...

The tea sounds fun.
Given her age, the job must agree with her. It would be on my top ten jobs I'd want no part of. I like my privacy too much.

My name is Erika. said...

The Queen has had an amazing life even though it came to her unexpectedly. I admire her also, and it is amazing to think she has ruled for 75 years. 75 years! This is such a lovely tribute Jeanie. I'm with you about being a Queen admirer. Happy June to you. Hugs-Erika

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Truly a remarkable woman!

Anvilcloud said...

It’s not a post that I expected an American to write. I think you are more of a royalist than I, but I am not anti.

Iris Flavia said...

Her smile sure is wonderful. I remember I read how the Obamas met her and there was a little "faux pas" she took with humor.
She is not very popular here, but, funny enough, through your blog(s) I learn more about her! To more hopefully happy years.

DUTA said...

I'm not pro royalty and don't take much interest in the royal family. I like, however, to read nice, interesting things about women whether the Queen or the sales girl. Your post is a fine tribute to the Queen!

Rita said...

An amazing feat that she never chose or expected. Bless her.

It's me said...

So nice your post today …love the Queen…so nice that she also came to the Chelsea flower show !…happy weekend…enjoy the birthday weekend of your queen…I did know you live in England?….it is now not possible to comment with bloglovin…o my…I hate it now I do comment on my blogger list ..but that is not complete with all the blogs I follow…I always read on my iPad but when I will comment with bloglovin my keyboard not comming …..mmmmmm. I hope it wil work soon happy weekend love Ria and Leaf 🍀🐾💗🍀

acorn hollow said...

I was so sad when she caught covid I think it knocked the stuffing out of her. The same thing happened to my 97-year-old aunt she caught covid and never really got back to where she was before she got sick.
I hope she enjoys all the celebrations even from the comfort of her palace.
Cathy

thepaintedapron.com said...

An incredible woman, leading an incredible life, thank you for the wonderful synopsis of her years on the throne Jeanie~

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Such an amazing life. She bounces back after enduring so much. A lovely tribute to the queen. Thank you for sharing her life.

Joanne Huffman said...

Love that you're having a tea in her honor.

gigi-hawaii said...

Oh, I so agree with you! I, too, have been following the Royal family closely over the years. Love Queen Elizabeth II. May she enjoy more years to come.

Valerie-Jael said...

The queen has dne a great job all her life! Hugs, Valerie

Miss Val's Creations said...

What a wonderful collection of photos. The Queen is so beloved that is says a lot about her character!

William Kendall said...

Long live the Queen!

Lowcarb team member said...

What a fabulous post this is.
I do like the collection of photographs you've used.
The Queen is an incredible woman.
Eddie and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the celebrations on television - and there is still more to come :)

All the best Jan

Prims By The Water said...

I have taped the festivities and will watch soon. god save the queen! Janice

DeniseinVA said...

A lovely tribute Jeanie. One of the many, many things my parents always admired about her parents, and consequently their daughters, was that they didn't leave London during the Blitz of WWII, they stayed with the people. She has done an amazing job, if we can call it that, and through thick and thin she has always been there for her country. There have been many ups and downs throughout the years as we all know. Her critiques may say otherwise but she stood the test, and now at this grand age I only wish her well. I hope you enjoyed your tea and thank you for this delightful post:)

The French Hutch said...

Jeanie, such a lovely tribute to Queen Elizabeth. Great selection of photos..........

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeanie,
Agreed!! I have always been a fan and admirer of Lilibet....I love her bright outfits and I am so glad to see that she is not like Queen Victoria , who wore black for the 40 years she lived after Prince Albert died.....Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a good weekend!! Our weather is going to be fantastic!! Low humidity and around 75 as a high!! Perfect in my book!!
Hugs,
Deb

Pamela said...

Wonderful post. I have always been a fan of Queen Elizabeth II.

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, I love this post. The queen is beautiful and truly a lady in every sense of the word. I would imagine that even with being well taken care of her life has not been easy. This was a lovely tribute.

Red Rose Alley said...

You have much knowledge about the Queen and her royal duties. I saw bits and pieces of the Jubilee on tv when I was on my road trip. I like the picture of her when she was a baby. I'm sorry to hear that she got the virus, that's terrible. I'm not really up on the happenings of the royal family, and I really could only relate to Diana. We both were married around the same time, and had children around the same time. I used to love to read the magazines about her fashion choices all those years.

~Sheri

Pam Richardson said...

I should have had tea with a friend! Great post with info and lovely photos you found. I love the Queen’s colorful wardrobe and lovely smile. It is hard to believe at 96, she is only using a cane for support.

Carola Bartz said...

Celebrating the Queen's reign with tea seems very fitting. Will it be a cream tea with scones and jam?

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Her long reign certainly is amazing, isn't it! I remember reading about her coronation when I was a teenager. So young to have such a responsibility!

Painting the hamptons said...

Lovely tribute!

Thelma said...

What a lovely tribute. I watched most of the celebrations and made a Queen Elizabeth Cake to have with tea. I hope you are feeling better xo

Ricki Treleaven said...

I love this post, Jeanie. Thanks for putting it together for us!

Veronica Lee said...

She certainly is an amazing woman.

I enjoyed the lovely tribute, Jeanie.

Have a great week ahead!

Buttercup said...

In general, I'm probably not a big fan of royalty, but I'm so in awe of Queen Elizabeth. She has been steadfast through so many crises with grace and a model of duty and service. Long live the Queen!

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

I know there is lots of criticism about the monarchy, but I, too, admit to being a fan of the royals. And judging by the crowds that gathered to pay tribute to her, I'd say the Queen still commands her share of fans! I caught some of it on TV. Of course, Prince Louis covering his ears stole the show!

Karen Wirth said...

Long live the Queen!
I love that smile she always seems to have

Anonymous said...

Hi Jeanie
I too am a fan of the Queen. She has lived a remarkable life. I enjoyed watching the Jubilee events. Long live the Queen!

Marilyn Miller said...

I think the thing that has endeared me to the Queen recently is her humor. I loved the video of her having tea with Paddington. It all inspired me to bake a Victoria Sponge cake to celebrate with tea. So glad you and your friend had tea to celebrate. I would say "Long live the Queen", but actually she has done that. I think i am with you on loving her country. I love both England and France and wish I could actually live in one of those countries these days.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I just read your comment about my latest rocking horse. It is the only rocking horse BANK I have ever been given or owned. You are right. I have about 480 in various sizes, shapes, and media, but only ONE BANK.

telko said...
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