Today is the day…

60 years ago today when the Queen became Queen.

So how long did it take her subjects to sing - God save the Queen instead of God save the King?

The Queen and Prince Philip will be travelling all around the UK during the year. The younger members of the family will be travelling in other places. Charles and Camilla will be coming to Canada.

When Prince Philip was in the hospital over Christmas all four children - Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward went to visit him. This was remarked upon but he is 90.

There is a new program on the BBC where the family talks about the Queen. I expect it will be shown in Canada at a not too future date.

I have been watching some royal programs.
- the story behind the King’s Speech about the friendship between Lionel Logue and the King
- the King’s Speech - a bought myself a copy of the DVD
- Mrs. Brown - about a loyal servant of Queen Victoria who was her friend
- a multipart Youtube video on Victoria and Albert and their nine children.

Of course I share something with both these Queens in my name - Victoria Elizabeth.

Being English: celebrating my heritage

I had thoughts recently about my family heritage - the ¾ English part.

I watched Chasing Churchill on my local PBS station. His granddaughter was going back to places in his life - it was quite interesting. She showed places that he had painted. Now his paintings sell for quite a lot of money. He had some talent in that department and he found it to be relaxing.

Then I watched part of a DVD series - Churchill: the Wilderness Years - 1929 to 1939. That was also interesting to learn more about the situation on Britain and Europe leading up to World War II.

I watched some Youtube videos from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which is held every year in August. One of the tunes was “I vow to thee my country.“

I was reminded of this tune in another context as I thought about Princess Diana who died on August 31, 1997. This song was sung at her funeral. Then I went looking for “Candle in the wind” by Elton John which I also found on Youtube.

Diana’s two sons are quite grown up now and getting on with their lives. Is a wedding coming up for William?

Gallop for the Guineas

It seems that the Queen may be attending the Queen’s Plate when she comes to Canada. The date has been set as July 4th. It will be a big anniversary this year - 150 years of this horse race.

Stay tuned for more from Buckingham Palace about the exact itinerary - says Abracadabra who does not race - I hope not - but is interested.

Horses then and now

The Queen who has always been interested in horses was recently given another one by the RCMP. They had quite simple names:

1. Burmese - 1969
2. Centennial - 1973
3. Saint James - 1998
4. George - 2009

Her daughter Princess Anne and granddaughter Zara Phillips have progressed to high levels of competition in the horse world.

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From Ballykissangel:
Liam - I know about horses. I grew up with them.
Donal - What? Rocking horses?
　

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From a long time in my past and Kathi was quite young. There was a visit to a house down the street where there was a place to play. There was a rocking horse and Kathi had a nice ride.

I also remember her having nice rides on the ponies at Granby Zoo.

At that time I did not join her in these horsy activities.
　
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So Kathi is visiting me in Ottawa this weekend. A trip to the stables to meet Abracadabra was in order. A ride on Abracadabra was also in order. She quite enjoyed her and I am sure that Abra enjoyed meeting her too.
　

Happy birthday

She turns 83 today. This is her real birthday. The official celebrations come in June when the weather is nicer. Not too many folks have 2 birthdays.






Interesting that they sing a second verse. I do not think I ever have.

Elizabeth

So I came to watch today the episode of "All Creatures Great and Small" where the Coronation happens.

If you wanted to - you could find the video on the British Monarchy Web site.
http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/Coronation/Coronation.aspx

Siegfried has rented a television set for the occasion but as the final moment unfolds everyone has departed. He is busy delivering a calf and after that he pulls out a bottle of champagne to toast the new Queen.

It is a new Elizabethan age.

My second name is Elizabeth. She was not yet Queen when I was born.

My mom was Betty - but not Elizabeth.

My grandmother was Elizabeth and her friends called her Lily.

So there we are - 3 generations of Elizabeth.

Music at the inauguration

So where was I yesterday morning? Listening and watching President Obama's inaugaration.

I did like listening to the bands and the military marches that came after.

Aretha Franklin sang "My country tis of Thee." The CBC commentator mentioned that the tune is the same as "God save the Queen."

An aside to that matter I do not remember anyone singing "God save the King" in my lifetime but I was very young when Elizabeth II came to the throne. My mom told me a story that as a very young person I stood up for the first time when "God save the King" was being played on the radio. I expect this may be true as King George VI died on Wednesday, 6 February 1952. I would have been 10 months old at that time.