5 June 2012: A fitting culmination of four days of celebration. Alas, the Diamond Jubilee ended in a grand yet utterly moving display of pomp and pageantry.
The royals, minus Prince Philip who is still in hospital for a bladder infection, gathered at St Paul’s Cathedral for a Thanksgiving Service in the morning. The Queen then attended a reception at Mansion House while other senior royals including Charles and Camilla were at a similar event at the Guildhall, with members of the thanksgiving congregation present at both. William, Kate & Harry hosted separate tables during lunch.
Then came the anticipated carriage procession across London with an approximated one million spectators lining the street. Due to Philip’s absence, the Queen rode the 1902 state landau with Prince Charles & The Duchess of Cornwall. William, Kate and Harry took the other carriage. The six of them then appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to see the crowds, enjoy a spectacular flypast and salute to the Queen. I admit it was strange for the balcony looking quite bare — due to the absence of the Duke of Edinburgh and the rest of the extended family. But it is a symbol of a slimmed-down monarchy; a sign of things to come. As usual, the crowds were massive! I have never seen such affection for the Queen or her family for a long time. Unforgettable.
Later that afternoon, Her Majesty released a pre-recorded message of thanks to her subjects. She called the Jubilee celebrations “humbling.” What a great lady! Long may she reign…
The Queen waves from the iconic balcony of Buckingham Palace.
A flypast culminated the celebrations. Pictures: Getty Images (left), Reuters
The future of the Monarchy: William, Catherine & Harry
Picture: Getty Images
The Queen’s Jubilee message of thanks:
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Previous Days: Diamond Jubilee 2012:
>> Thames River Pageant
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Back to blogging, as promised, in time for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee…
Sixty years on the throne. Sixty glorious years worthy of utmost admiration and reverence. June 3, 2012 marked the highlight of Queen Elizabeth II’s 4-day Diamond Jubilee celebration with a flotilla of 1,000 ships parading in the iconic River Thames. Sure, it bloody rained! Hard. But that didn’t deter the approximated 1.2 million people who lined river, threw street parties and celebrated with the Queen.
Her Majesty was on board the Spirit of Chartwell with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles & Camilla, William & Kate, and Prince Harry. The less senior royals were on other vessels. The Duchess of Cambridge’s family was there too. The Queen, despite the rain, stood for two hours, resplendent in her silver-white dress. Happy faces all around. Truly a day to remember.
The Gloriana led a 1,0oo-strong fleet of boats through the Thames
The Flotilla has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest parade of boats.
Picture: Getty Images
A glorious 60-year reign for a most beloved Queen. The Queen & Duke of Edinburgh were all smiles in the rain.
Picture: Getty Images
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The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration continues…
The Duchess of Cambridge has been making the most of her husband Prince William’s 6-week deployment to the Falklands. She has begun doing solo engagements. But she isn’t without support. In the past few weeks, Kate has stepped out and learnt from the best – The Queen and the Prince of Wales. She and Her Majesty have appeared in 2 joint engagements. Later, Kate joined her father-in-law to learn more about his art charity.
Royal trifecta: The Queen, Camilla & Kate in Piccadilly. Getty Images
It was a big day for royal watchers. Three generations of the most senior royal ladies — The Queen, and two future Queen consorts, stepped out to take tea together in Piccadilly.
Her Majesty, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge visited London department store Fortnum & Mason in their first joint royal engagement. They went there to officially rename a restaurant within the shop on Piccadilly and to meet some of those who worked in the store at the time of the coronation.
Interestingly, The Queen, Kate and Camilla arrived in the same car and dressed in different shades of blue!
Inside the store, the royals met staff and former employees. Her Majesty spent time in the preserve section, discussing honey with one member of staff. The focus for Kate and Camilla was the sweet section.
Toward the end, the royal trio were each presented with a Fortnum’s hamper, containing delicacies including champagne truffles – and dog biscuits! All three are known dog lovers. While the Queen is known for her love of corgis, Kate and William recently acquired a cocker spaniel pup they have named Lupo.
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Photoset: Getty Images
Pictures from Getty Images
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee visit kicked on in grand style. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh were accompanied by The Duchess of Cambridge to Leicester, the first region on the Queen’s visit list. Arriving by train, the royal party was welcomed by a 5,000-strong crowd and dancers.
Their first stop was at De Monfort University, where Kate and the Queen were seen chatting comfortably during a student fashion show. Later Kate chose the winner of a contest to design a shoe for her. They later emerged in the Leicester sunshine to greet the crowds. It was a glorious start for Her Majesty’s Jubilee tours, and she and Kate are clearly getting on quite well. It’s significant to point out that The Queen has rarely, if ever, done joint engagements alone with Princess Diana or Camilla.
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Photoset: Getty Images
Charles & Kate: domestic partners in crime. Photo: Getty Images
Kate stepped out for the first time with the Prince of Wales and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, to visit one of Charles’s charities. The idea was to celebrate their shared love of the arts and children at Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London, but the royal party soon found themselves roped into some domestic duties.
The royals spoke to children taking part in Face Britain, as part of the Great Art Quest, which sees them make self-portraits which will be beamed on to the front of Buckingham Palace in April to mark the start of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
After that, the royal trio got domestic. Iron art! Looks like Kate has had some experience with ironing, but we’re not so sure the same thing can be said about Prince Charles. See hilarious video below.
The royal pair also got holed up cutting up lace for some art work.
Royal pair cutting lace. Getty Images
Jeremy Newton, chief executive of The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts, said: “It was fantastically exciting. Both the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have spent quite a bit of time finding out about the charity, but it was the first time the Duchess of Cambridge had come to see us.”
“Obviously the children adore her, and she adores the children. She greatly enjoyed seeing their artwork. All of the pupils are saying they will never forget this day, as long as they live. It’s been a complete revelation for them that royals are normal people. They’ve had a lovely time.”
Video: Charles & Kate make iron art at gallery (must see!)
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Take That’s Gary Barlow performed a pop concert in aid of The Prince’s Charities & The Foundation of Prince William & Prince Harry — and two pairs of royals came out to show their support. The gigs are raising funds so that the Trust can invest £2.5million in helping five areas that were hit the hardest during the August riots in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Prince Charles, Camilla, William & Kate (the first time all four appeared together publicly) were guests of honour for the charity concert in Royal Albert Hall last night. They met with Gary Barlow before the show started, and spoke with performers after.
The singer told William: “I hope you enjoy tonight and I hope it’s not too loud.” William replied joking: “The louder the better, the louder the better.”
The Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning in a short black and tan dress costing just £69.99 from Zara.
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