I'm a bit of a royalist these days, although I didn't used to be. The Queen has worked so hard for so long, always doing her best, doing her duty and just ... well... reassuringly being there, like a mother or granny.
I have decided I prefer her to the kind of rich, powerful people who got where they are by sucking up to the likes of Rupert Murdoch, or doing all the other things ambitious, ruthless politicians do.
So despite various very loved friends and family members who are republicans, Socialist Workers etc. I've come down in the royal camp this weekend. Today is Diamond Jubilee day, sixty years since she was crowned. The country is celebrating and for the past few weeks, I've been going round snapping photos about the Jubilee in both London and Surrey. I thought you'd like to see some of them.
Albury, Surrey, had a royal garden competition, and one garden featured HM herself. Cardboard version, of course. That is her in the photograph above.
Below we have a patriotic post office...
Patriotic earrings
Patriotic gumboots - the children at this nursery school are growing red and white geraniums in these boots for the jubilee, and they all did paintings of the Queen...
And an appropriate bow tie (below) can look very stylish...
No doubt the kids would enjoy a giant gold coin with a Lion and a Unicorn on...
Parents might like a cup of Jubilee Tea 
The tea is from Fortnum and Mason (one of my favourite window-shopping shops). It has great Jubilee decorations, with a 1950s style, and nearly all of them are out of my price range. Still, if you are in London I do recommend you drop by and see them. A version of this crown adorns each of their shop windows.
There are signs of the Jubilee everywhere. Road signs....
signposts, traffic directions.....
And bus shelters...
I loved this toy windmill in someone's garden.
I suppose you can still be patriotic even if you are selling manure...
Or making a "statement" with the rubbish...
We were on the South Bank in London yesterday and everyone was getting ready for the flotilla celebrations. The weather is typical for a British celebration - cold, grey and wet. Still those who were camping out opposite St. Paul's did not seem to mind.
The great strange creature that is currently outside Tate Modern is an art work. I feel it should have been draped in a flag, like so many people were.
I liked the many reflections in this shot of a man in a Union Jack hat and a NY teeshirt. 
Now, I'm about to brave the rain to see the boat pageant. It sounds wonderful but I will have to return after about an hour because we are having family members over later for a jubilee tea
and I need to get the food ready. (No - not this family.)
It is truly an event worth celebrating fully! She's quite a remarkable woman and I hope Charles has it in him to be her equal some day. Great pics~
ReplyDeleteHope you and the whole country have a wonderful celebration!
ReplyDeleteThis was so much fun. We never get the real feel of the jubilee here in the States. You gave us a very personal tour of the festivities. I really enjoyed all of the photos. Have a great time today!
ReplyDeleteAH this morning the news here in the states are having special programs about the diamond jubilee too. Granted not as interesting as your pictures, instead I've learned about the school of needlework and how the queen's job really doesn't have a definition. All interesting I must say.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting. My mother always loved British things: tea, yorkshire pudding, etc. I have loved watching the Royals through the years, reading about the past, and watching the recent movies. Since I can't be there, thanks for allowing me a look at the celebration!
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed this Jubilee photo visit . . . There is something to be said for loyalty, consistency and steadfastness. The Queen is all of that . . . Regal with something steadfast and true . . .
ReplyDeleteSorry the people on the final phoo were usable to join you for tea . . . smile.
Yay, good for you. I love all the Jubilee photos and think it's wonderful that people are getting into the spirit of the celebrations. That said, I've spent most of the time in my shed editing, but we do have flags out, I have Pimms at the ready as well as strawberries and cream and will certainly be drinking a toast to The Queen.
ReplyDeletei was in front of my tv all the afternoon long to watch the boats parade. i'm so sorry you had rain, but, O my, it was a fabulous celebration!I'm french, but i do like your Queen, and try to follow every event linked to the royal family! :o)
ReplyDeleteCracked up at that last picture! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to me to see all the decorations about. It must be nice to have someone kind of above the nasty politics, you know. Maybe that's our fascination in the states. :)
I have always had mixed feelings about the theory of Monarchy (my first degree was in public administration so it was an academic as well as personal interest) but I have to say that a constitutional monarch such as ours seems preferable to a president elected not by people (as is the theory) but by the powerful financial interests that pay for the election campaigns. Like you I may not always have held that view and I may change it at some time in the future but for now.
ReplyDeleteSo I think it was lovely to be reminded by your post of the esteem and love with which our current monarch is held by a very large number of people.
Seems there are a few more royalists about, judging by your photos! ;) We had a royal wedding two years ago (our crown princess Victoria married her man of the people) and the christening of a new little princess a couple of weeks ago - kind of a boost for the royal dynasty in Sweden too. I'm not a super-devoted royalist in theory but very far from convinced another system would be better either!
ReplyDeleteLoved all your pictures - gives me an idea of what it's like. Isn't it amazing how a big celebration like this unifies everyone and brings out the best in people (or at least, most of them).
ReplyDeleteWe're not really feeling the jubilee up here - which is a bit of a shame. In fact I'm not even getting the bank holiday!
ReplyDeleteHow colorful with the area all decorated with the British flag! For a second there, I thought you took a close-up photo of the royal family in the last picture. What a unusual statue to have in front of the museum! It certainly draws attention.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for the nice comments. I hope everyone managed to watch some of the celebrations
ReplyDeleteOw,that's tough, Macy, about the bank holiday! Yes, Pixel Peeper, and Rita, pretty well everyone in the crowd were good natured and happy - it was good. Dawn Treader and GB, it does seem to me that the British monarchy has become increasingly popular. Am I right, or is it by comparison to so many years of sleaze and lies and general revoltingness from politicians?
How interesting, and I wonder how many French people share your interest, Malyss. I have really never been sure what other Europeans think of our Royals.
These shots looked bright than what I saw on the telly.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was a royalist through and through and I guess its rubbed off onto most of the family. I adore Lizzy (as she is affectionately known here in many parts of Oz) One of the womens magazine had a souvenir Jubilee edition, and it was beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post Jenny!
During her Silver Jubilee, I was just starting a job as head chef in Thompsons Eating House in Hungerford. I decorated a boars head and made champagne bubbles out of polystyrene which were stuck to champagne flutes. We won the window dressing competition.
ReplyDeleteHappy memories.
Thanks for posting these Jenny.
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ReplyDeleteI do hope that those who have organized street parties and barbecues won't be completely let down by the weather. Happy celebrating to everyone!
ReplyDeleteLove the decorations!! It looks adorable and very festive! I wish we had some of that here in Canada, as it is part of the Commonwealth, I find it disappointing that we have none of that. But thank you for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteOh what a fabulous insight to some of the Jubilee celebrations! Thanks for sharing these, and the stories with each, especially the last (so funny) family photo!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photos - makes you come over all tingly and patriotic :-) x
ReplyDeleteGreat decorations!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun, Jenny! Reminds me of our Independence Day celebration here in the States.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bright pictures full of UJs, Jenny! Love the post office, the earrings and the Jubilee tea tin :o) I need one for my collection :o) Lovely Family`s faces too. Love kids painting and boot-pots! The Queen in the garden looks great too!
ReplyDeleteHave a warm and sunny week
P.S. Please, came to enter into my giveaway, if you like of course
love
Natasha
I think my first comment didn't make it.
ReplyDeleteI love the Royal family.
Cracked up at that last family portrait. :)
Hello Jenny, thanks for visiting my blog - am a bit ambivalent about the Monarchy to be honest, but I do wonder what we'd replace it with , not the t*ssers running the country at the moment for sure! Just feel the love and depth of feeling is for the Queen herself, not sure there would be the same support for Charles. William - different story!
ReplyDeleteNow, referring to your previous post - you acn see onmy profile I play fiddle for a Molly side, and also the fiddler for Moulton Morris is a fiddlin' friend of mine, Nick, (I also know Simon Clare very slightly) so look forward to a chat sometime!
We have sunshine but chilly winds here in Norfolk today but thank heaven the rain has stopped!
I think they're a lovely family, except for Camilla... :-) I would love to have the Queen around for maybe another 10, 20 years...
ReplyDeleteMany years running the country, a fitting tribute. I confess that I am not very monarchical, nor of those here (sniff). A big greeting and nice story once again.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading Diamond Jubilee stories in newspapers, but they tend to focus on the "big stuff". I loved your account of ordinary folk participating in their own way. That manure is the best! :D
ReplyDeleteSay what you want about monarchy in the 21st century, but you have to admire the Queen's steadfast public dignity throughout the decades!
I enjoyed this so much. My dream is to visit England someday, until then, I get to look at your blog. Thanks for sharing all of this.
ReplyDeleteHappy Diamond Jubilee! It's great to see all the festive Union Jacks (the manure takes the cake, so to speak) and even spectres of the Queen in the garden! Even us on this side of the pond have been following the celebration. It is remarkable that for many young people in the UK, she is the only monarch they have ever known.
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful to see the Fortnum & Mason goodies. That used to be a guilty pleasure on previous business trips (a lifetime ago) to London. Our office was just down the road from it, so lunchtime walks to St. James Park and shopping for teas and jams in F&M were always a must.
Anyway, you are right that the Royal Family seems like a delightful bunch compared to sleazy businessmen and politicians!
wow...wonderful..makes me feel like visiting London :) have a happy diamond jubilee celebrations, now that you are a royalist :)
ReplyDeletehave a nice week ahead...
I watched the entire flotilla event and loved it. I've always been a royalist and get a great kick when I see any member of the royal family. Your pictures picked up the atmosphere of the event, thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat set of photos. Liked those Jubilee earrings and the giant chocolate coin especially. I too have changed my mind on and off about the Royal Family and now I think they're great. The Queen is just lovely. Hope everybody's had a great long weekend. We all deserve it, don't we?
ReplyDeleteThe consistency of the Queen is somehow reassuring in this turbulent world, isn’t it? I’ve been enjoying seeing some of the goings on in your world on television. Looks like the entire country is wrapped up in a cozy warm blanket even in the rain!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have the jubilee gene.......I do havea cold in June though .....what could be more British??!!
ReplyDeleteWell done on finding all these. We went out for breakfast dressed in red, white and blue and I did wear my Union Jack scarf!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing. It sounds like so much fun. You make me want to travel.
ReplyDeleteAnd an interesting little tidbit. Eels were sent over from the Great Lakes for eel pie for the Queen. Everyone here wants to send all of them to her!
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/fit-queen-us-sends-invasive-eel-creatures-england-133341498.html
I agree that she is now one of the icons that worked hard at her duties. Finally she is getting the resect she has earned.
ReplyDeleteWe watched it from Toronto while texting to our daughter and SIL who were at the Waterloo Bridge to watch the pagent. What fun!!
Your photos are so cool!
i imagine that it is quite fun there today with all the celebrations...it def looks like a festive atmosphere...thanks for the glimpse in...
ReplyDeleteI have always been fascinated with this Royal family because we do not have a King or Queen to adore. :) Love the patriotic expressions of the English people.
ReplyDeleteI suppose we colonists have no right to comment about such things but being the unruly rabble that we are I will comment anyway. Two things: First thingy: We didn't get much coverage of the festivities over here to my regret. The royal wedding was fascinating and I found myself watching nearly all of it on TV. Second thingy: I guess, even in the face of the festivities, one should not forget that at some point in history the royals racked up so much wealth in far more murderous ways than even Rupert Murdoc that they remain among the wealthiest people on the planet.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I do wish we could have shared more of the celebration with you.
Caught some of the celebration on TV here. I really enjoyed your more up close and personal photo's tho. I can remember her being crowned and that tells you I've been around awhile, LOL!
ReplyDeleteDarla
I really enjoyed this post Jenny (cheers for your comment on mine and I've added you to my blog roll). I went to a big community street party where I live that I thought had 2000 but turned out to have 4000 people. It was an incredible experience to be part of it. I'm impressed you braved the rain on Sunday as I was watching from the warmth and comfort of my sofa instead!
ReplyDeleteWhat the hey. We've got 'em. May as well enjoy 'em.
ReplyDeleteenjoyable post. I have been keeping up with the goings on via the web. Thanks for dropping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteI've become fond of the Queen over the years, thanks mainly to her longevity, like Paul Scholes or the Die Hard movies, even though they were a bit crap to begin with. Love the last picture.
ReplyDeleteMy cleaner came with patriotic fingernails, she had stuck false nails with union jacks stuck on her nails.
ReplyDeleteShe assures me she's not a monarchist at all.
What a pleasant post, Jenny! Our Emperor and Empress visit Britain for the Queen's diamond jubilee celebrations. I like their friendship on behalf of ourselves. Being patriotic centered around such a charming Queen as a symbol of the nation is so lovely. It looks this celebration making the bond of British people tighten.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Hi Jenny..I somehow lost a link with you. I found you again. Love you post, as usual. The celebration is fun for me, a yank in USA. Thanks for the picture updates.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, I just re joined you blog...I had joined back several weeks ago, but I did not have my site linked set up. Now it is there and I invite you to come visit. Love the Jubilee post today. Mary
ReplyDeleteThere seems no end to the moneymaking advantage to most any event.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed the river pageant. it's a shame that the weather was so awful. I'm a Royalist and always have been so I've enjoyed all the Jubilee events, some great photos above, I particularly like the manure one:)
ReplyDeleteThat really was a fabulous journey, Jenny! Incredible snaps - and how fairly real does Prince Charles look in that last family pic! Happy Jubilee!!
ReplyDeleteWell done for staying despite the rain! I am glad that you had such a great time! As for me, I was enjoying the sun in Saint Tropez...Maybe I am not that British yet?
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