Queen Elizabeth – studious, stoic and worthy of her diamond jubilee

A good, if backhanded, article by Simon Jenkins of the Guardian.

Jenkins delicately sidesteps any ebullience or truly complimentary adjectives, lest he be branded as a monarchy supporter. This is expected from a writer for the Guardian.

“In her mid-80s, she glides over the stream of events, a tribute to the octogenarian work ethic.”

“Her only known fixation (other than with aircraft noise over Windsor) is with the Commonwealth – a harmless enough pastime.”

Jenkins does admit that the Queen is adept at managing her institution and that she is hard working. His characterization of what the monarchy must be, however, completely misses the mark of what it is all about.

[Read More]

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Charles – Conserving the Marine Environment

The Prince of Wales has been actively involved in environmental issues for several years, and last week ushered in the latest initiative – The Prince’s International Sustainability Unit Marine Programme.

The event also heralded the release of the ISU report, “Towards Global Sustainable Fisheries – The Opportunity for Transition.”

The program is to help promote beneficial and sustainable fisheries management, putting the brakes on the decline of the world’s fish stocks.

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Canadians Celebrate Their Queen

Queen Elizabeth II’s Canadian flag was hoisted up in honor of Her Jubilee this past Monday, at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. February 6th marked the official start to the Queen’s 60th anniversary of her reign. The flag was raised by Canada’s Secretary to the Queen, Kevin MacLeod.

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Prince Praises Protected Playing Fields

Prince William is lauding the plan to protect 2,012 playing fields across the United Kingdom. This, he says, is “a lasting tribute to his grandmother”.

“Green space and playing fields are the beating heart of any community,” William said in a video on qe2fields.com.

“I cannot think of a better tribute to my grandmother’s 60 glorious years on the throne than to dedicate to the queen this program that will save playing fields for future generations.”

The Prince decries the loss of open fields at the hands of development.

Prince William is the patron of Fields in Trust, which is helping to keep the 2,012 fields open for the youth of England.

Royal Round Up 2-8-12: Guardian Tribute; Charles and William Help Conservation Efforts; Canada Celebrates is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s 63rd monarch, has steered the monarchy through decades of social change while remaining a symbol of national stability in a shifting world.

This video from The Telegraph is a good overview of her life and times.

Video: The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: 60 years in video is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Full Text:

“Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to his mercy our late Sovereign Lord King George VI, of blessed and glorious memory, by whose Decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary:

We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of the Realm, being assisted with these His late Majesty’s Privy Council, with representatives of other Members of the Commonwealth, with other Principal Gentlemen of Quality, with the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of London, do now hereby with one Voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim, That the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become Queen Elizabeth II by the Grace of God, Queen of the Realm, and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom Her Lieges do acknowledge all Faith, and constant Obedience with hearty and humble Affection, beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Royal Princess, Elizabeth II, with long and happy Years to reign over us.

God Save The Queen”

Video: Princess Elizabeth proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II is a post from: Anglotopia.net

We found this audio recording of the BBC reporting that the King had died and that Britain now had a new Queen.

Very sad and moving.

Diamond Jubilee: The Moment She Became Queen is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Buckingham Palace has released two new official portraits of the Queen to mark the beginning of the Diamond Jubilee year.

Check them out below!

Diamond Jubilee: 2 New Official Portraits Released to Mark the Diamond Jubilee Year is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Sixty photographs of Her Majesty The Queen, including the work of leading press photographers of the past six decades, will go on display at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. The exhibition presents a portrait of The Queen’s reign as captured in fleeting moments on both official occasions and at relaxed family gatherings. For centuries the formal painted portrait projected the public face of kings and queens. With the advent of photography, the boundaries between the officially approved and the spontaneously captured image of the monarch were irreversibly blurred. Today, through the reach of modern media, the image of The Queen is familiar to millions around the world.

Diamond Jubilee: The Queen – Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The Queen released a statement today to mark her accession to the throne on February 6th 1952. It’s reproduced below.

Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.

In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.

I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.

I send my sincere good wishes to you all.

ELIZABETH R.

Diamond Jubilee: The Queen’s Message to Mark Her Accession Day is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Andrew’s Air Miles Still Accumulating

Despite giving up his role as a special trade envoy several months ago, Prince Andrew is still making trips abroad on business.

It should not be unusual for the Prince – who is the Duke of York and the second son of the Queen – to perform duties representing Her Majesty, but Andrew’s track record of late has been suspect.

The Duke previously held the position as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. His years as a representative for his nation and his regal mother seemed to be for naught when it was revealed that the Duke was consorting with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew’s business connections with dictators such as the late Colonel Gaddafi of Libya, among others, also brought a torrent of criticism down on the Duke’s head.

Although Andrew stepped down as a “special” representative, it seems he is continuing as a regular business envoy and has undertaken 17 engagements in Saudi Arabia and China for UK Trade and Investment.

Read More

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Camilla Cooks for the Queen

Cook for The Queen is the Duchess of Cornwall’s special tribute to her sovereign and mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth II.

In honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Duchess has organized the event with British Food Fortnight, inviting “all schools in the UK to create a special menu featuring recipes that celebrate the best of British to be served to The Queen and The Duchess of Cornwall at a reception at Buckingham Palace in June”. The contest is for children ages 10 – 15.

Republicans are a bit put out by all of this.

The anti-monarchy group, Republic, have warned the participating schools that they might be breaking the law by taking part in the contest.

Graham Smith, head honcho of Republic, gripes that involving the children in celebrations of the monarchy without giving equal time to republicanism is a breach of the Education Act.

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Celebrate the Jubilee with Mandy’s British Royalty

In a move that will undoubtedly annoy Graham Smith, American royalist Mandy Littlefield is aiming to take her fondness of the monarchy and bring it to people everywhere through her show, RoyaltyNow!.

To make it the best show ever, Mandy is holding a fundraiser in the hope of traveling to London to film footage of celebrations and interviews during the Jubilee blowout in June. With your kind donations – not to mention awesome prizes in return for your generosity – you can help make her project a reality.

For more information on the great prizes you will receive, click here.

Thank you to all who donate!

Royal Round Up 2-1-12: Camilla Cooks; Airmiles Andy; Celebrate the Jubilee and Win is a post from: Anglotopia.net

From the beginning, the unexpected has pervaded the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

As a child, “Lilibet” and her younger sister Margaret were groomed for a life considered ordinary by royal standards. However, at the age of 10, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor’s future as Defender of the Faith was sealed when her father took the throne in an unforeseen turn of events.

It would be the first of many detours along the royal road ahead.

In honor of her Diamond Jubilee, which this year celebrates six decades of her rule, here are Queen Elizabeth’s Top 10 Royal Moments:

1. The Abdication of King Edward VIII

When Elizabeth’s grandfather King George V died in 1936, the crown passed to her uncle King Edward VIII.

However, Edward refused to forsake plans to marry the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson, opting instead to abdicate the throne less than a year after his father’s death.

The switch propelled her father, George VI, to the throne and altered Elizabeth’s life forever. Suddenly the 10-year-old girl was reading the latest political news and absorbing lessons on British government.

Here’s a video of his historic speech:

2. Accession to the Throne

On Feb. 6, 1952, while on a trip to Kenya with her husband, Prince Philip, Elizabeth learned her father had died and she had inherited the crown at the age of 25. She immediately returned to Britain as quickly as possible.

Thrust into the global spotlight, Elizabeth was named Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year – 1952.

Here’s a historical video all bout her Accession Day:

3. Coronation

Elizabeth’s coronation as Queen at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953 was the first coronation broadcast on television.

The more than 8,000 guests, including prime ministers and other heads of state from throughout the Commonwealth, witnessed the Archbishop of Canterbury place the crown on her head.

In a radio broadcast marking the occasion, the Queen said, “throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”

4. Silver Jubilee – 1977

More than one million people gathered along the streets of London to watch the Royal Family, led by the Queen and Prince Philip in the golden state coach, on its way to St. Paul’s at the launch of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.

“I want to thank all those in Britain and the Commonwealth who, through their loyalty and friendship, have given me strength and encouragement during these last 25 years,” said the Queen at the time.

5. “Annus Horribilis”

In a speech given Nov. 24, 1992 to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession, the Queen referred to 1992 as her “annus horribilis,” or horrible year.

It was, after all, the year her sons Prince Charles and Andrew, the Duke of York separated from their wives, Diana and Sarah, respectively; daughter Princess Anne divorced; and a fire destroyed a portion of Windsor Castle.

During that speech, Elizabeth said, “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. … I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators.”

6. Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

When Diana, former wife of Prince Charles, died following a car crash on Aug. 31, 1997, members of the Royal Family were depicted as unemotional and lacking in compassion for not displaying grief publicly.

The Queen subsequently broke convention by bowing to Diana’s coffin as it passed Buckingham Palace during the funeral procession and paid tribute to Diana during a live television broadcast on Sept. 9, 1997, thereby ending criticism from the tabloids.

During her speech, Elizabeth said, “Since last Sunday’s dreadful news, we have seen, throughout Britain and around the world, an overwhelming expression of sadness at Diana’s death. We have all been trying in our different ways to cope. It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger and concern for those who remain. We have all felt those emotions in the last few days. So what I say to you now, as your queen and as a grandmother, I say from my heart. First I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys.”

7. The Deaths of Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother

In 2002, the Queen lost her sister and only sibling, Princess Margaret, and her mother, the Queen Mother.

Margaret died Feb. 9. In a statement from the Palace, the Queen announced her death “with great sadness.”

The Queen Mother died the following month on March 30 at the age of 101 with Elizabeth at her bedside.

8. Reception for Charles and Camilla

Despite her well-known disapproval of their relationship, the Queen held a reception at Windsor Castle in honor of the April 9, 2005 marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. She and Philip did not attend the civil wedding ceremony.

The marriage was said to have been the culmination of the long and controversial relationship of Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

9. Advising Prince William on his Wedding

The Queen assisted her grandson in planning his April 29, 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton.

Not only did Elizabeth advise William regarding what to wear (his Irish Guards uniform), she helped shape the guest list for the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. “I rang her up and said ‘Do we need to be doing this?’ ” he said in an article printed in The Daily Mail. “And she said, ‘No. Start with your friends first and then go from there.’ And she told me to bin the list.”

10. Farewell Tour, Visit to Ireland

Last year, at the age of 85, the Queen embarked on what many referred to as her “Farewell Tour” of the Australia, her 16th visit to the continent.

She also became the first monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since it gained independence in the 1920s. The historic four-day visit was conducted in May.

Editor’s Note: This post was written by Leeann Neal. LeeAnn is an Oregon coast freelance writer and journalist. Her grandmother, whose own grandparents moved to the United States from London in the 1800s, was a staunch Anglophile who insisted on passing on the ritual of afternoon tea, and who made Yorkshire pudding from scratch each Christmas.

What’s your favorite moment of the Queen’s 60 year reign? Let us know in the comments!

Diamond Jubilee: The Queen’s Top 10 Royal Moments of Her 60 Year Reign is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The BBC is reporting that The Queen will make a speech to a rare joint session of Parliament (including the House of Commons and the House of Lords).

From the BBC:

The Queen will make a personal address to MPs and peers as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the leader of the Commons has announced.

Sir George Young said the Queen would address a joint session of Parliament in Westminster Hall on 20 March.

The monarch made similar addresses to mark her Silver Jubilee in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

You can expect the speech to be apolitical and uncontroversial as they usually are but it will be a nice moment for Britain.

Diamond Jubilee: The Queen to Address Joint Session of Parliament is a post from: Anglotopia.net

During her inaugural address Jamaica’s new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says the time has come for her country to cut ties with the British monarchy.

While Jamaica is an independent country – they kept Queen Elizabeth as they’re head of state. They now plan to end this tradition.

See the video below:

No Queen Please, We’re Jamaican – Jamaica Plans to Ditch the Queen is a post from: Anglotopia.net

As we have posted in previous years, here’s the traditional Queen’s annual Christmas message to her subjects for 2011.

Watch it now below!

Happy Christmas Your Majesty!

The Queen: The 2011 Christmas Message – Queen’s Christmas Speech – Watch Now! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

A Diamond Jubilee Pageant will take place at Windsor Castle over three evenings in May.

The World Comes to Windsor will celebrate over 250 State and Commonwealth visits that the Queen has made during her 60-year reign. The show will involve over 500 horses and 800 performers and will take the audience on a journey ‘around the world in 60 years and 90 minutes’. There will be military and equestrian displays, and musicians and dancers from around the globe.

The performers include the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Inuits, Oklahoma cowboys and cattle, Native Americans, Mexican charros and Chilean huasos (horsemen), Maoris, the New Zealand Military Band, Cook Island dancers, the New South Wales Mounted Police, Aborigines, Marwari horses from Rajasthan, presidential bodyguards from India and Pakistan, Masaai warriors, Zulu dancers, Russian Cossacks and Italian Carabiniere.

The pageant takes place on 10, 11 and 13 May. The Queen will attend the Sunday evening performance.

Simon Brooks Ward, director and producer of the pageant, says: ‘We are enormously excited by the plans for the Diamond Jubilee Pageant and have been overwhelmed by the support and goodwill for the event across the globe. To put it into context, Queen Victoria was the only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, 114 years ago in 1897. So for this to be happening within our lifetimes is a truly unique and historic occasion.’

Tickets for the Diamond Jubilee Pageant are priced between £30 and £100

Tel: +44 844 581 4970 tickets
Websites: www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com
www.direct.gov.uk/diamondjubilee
www.royal.gov.uk

Diamond Jubilee: The world comes to Windsor to Celebrate the Queen is a post from: Anglotopia.net

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, will mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a series of regional visits and engagements throughout the United Kingdom during 2012.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, supported by other members of the Royal Family, will be travelling as widely as possible across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Details of the programme will include:

In addition, members of the Royal Family will travel overseas representing The Queen throughout the Diamond Jubilee year, visiting every Realm as well as undertaking visits to Commonwealth countries, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.

Her Majesty has asked that these visits include the following:

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea

The Prince of Wales: Channel Islands, Isle of Man

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: Malaysia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu

Prince Harry: Belize, Jamaica, The Bahamas

The Duke of York: India

The Earl and Countess of Wessex: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Gibraltar, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago

The Princess Royal: Mozambique, Zambia

The Duke of Gloucester: British Virgin Islands, Malta

The Duke of Kent: Falkland Islands, Uganda

Further details of the regional and overseas visits will be announced in due course.

Diamond Jubilee: Queen’s Engagements for 2012 and Royal Family Tours Abroad Announced, Royal Couple Tours is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Saturday Night Live spoofed the Royal Family again this past Saturday, riffing on the Kate Middleton pregnancy rumors to hilarious affect.

Features impressions of The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William and Kate Middleton. Features Katy Perry as Pippa Middleton.

Check out the Royal Family SNL spoof video below:

Royal Jest: Saturday Night Live Spoofs the Royal Family Again – Katy Perry as Pippa is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Like many of us, the Royal Family will gather together around a trimmed tree this Christmas and pause to reflect upon the passing year. The royals also celebrate the season, like many families, with traditions that have been passed down through the years.

Let’s take a look at some of the Royal traditions at Christmas:

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, also known as Queen Victoria’s husband, was the first to really get things rolling in the Royal Family. The Prince Consort introduced the Christmas tree, a German tradition, a custom that soon spread throughout England.

Today, the Royal Family spend Christmas at Sandringham, the Norfolk estate acquired in 1866 by the Queen’s great-grandfather, Edward VII. Sandringham quickly became a part of the family’s holiday traditions.

The Queen arrives at Sandringham for Christmas and works there until February (when she’s not in residence, the house is open to the public). It is at Sandringham that the Royal Family partake of their favorite outdoor pursuit – grouse shooting.

The Queen’s great-grandfather, as Prince of Wales, absolutely loved the outdoors and shooting was a passion. It’s because of Edward that Sandringham developed its own timeframe, aptly named “Sandringham Time”. Edward set the all the clocks a half an hour later in order to obtain the most time from the waning winter light so that he could shoot.

Edward’s son, George V, maintained Sandringham Time even during his own reign. This unique tradition ended during the brief reign of his controversial grandson and namesake, Edward VIII.

The Queen and Prince Philip, along with their children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren, all attend the annual Christmas Day church service at a small chapel within the estate. Afterwards, they partake of Christmas lunch and break open crackers filled with paper hats and jokes.

Later in the afternoon, the royals sit down to watch Her Majesty’s televised Christmas message to the nation. This particular tradition began in 1932 with her grandfather, George V. The king broadcast his Christmas address via radio from a room in Sandringham, and the tradition lives on today. The Queen made history of her own when she delivered her first televised Christmas message in 1957 from the library at Sandringham.

This year, the Royal Family celebrate Christmas with new members of the team – the new Duchess of Cambridge and her sister, Pippa.

The former Kate Middleton, who married Prince William last April, is spending her first Christmas at Sandringham. Reports say that her younger sister Pippa (Philippa) is joining her.

For more about the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, visit SandringhamEstate.co.uk

Happy Christmas (and Frohe Weihnachten)!

Your Guide to Royal Family Christmas Traditions – What’s Christmas like In The British Royal Family? is a post from: Anglotopia.net

1). Visit The Queen’s official home 

Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle, is an official residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Highlights include the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, the burial place of ten monarchs, and Queen Mary’s Dolls House. The Changing of the Guard, usually accompanied by a band, takes place at 11:00 daily from April until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year (weather permitting and except Sundays). The best viewing point is the Corn Exchange at the famous Windsor Guildhall. Once inside the Castle, you can watch the actual changing ceremony outside the Guardroom in the Lower Ward at 11.00am.

www.royalcollection.org.uk

2). Learn to play polo – the sport of Kings 

The Royal Borough hosts polo at a number of venues featuring the world’s top professionals and plenty of opportunities to take part in half time „divot stamping‟ – Pretty Woman style. National and International teams compete, with their entourage of ponies (never horses!) Lessons are also available where you can learn the rules and tactics and perfect your polo swing. No experience necessary.

www.windsor.gov.uk

3) Dine out celebrity chef style 

Looking for top notch dining? The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead offers Michelin stars, celebrity chefs and world-class cuisine. The latest addition is Antony Worrall Thompson’s Windsor Grill www.AWTRestaurants.com. A stone’s throw from The Long Walk, the Windsor Grill menu boasts an unrivalled range of prime Aberdeenshire steaks, handmade burgers, exquisite fish and seafood dishes and daily changing specials. In the nearby village of Bray you can choose from two, three-starred Michelin restaurants – The Waterside Inn www.waterside-inn.co.uk run by Michel Roux and The Fat Duck www.thefatduck.co.uk run by Heston Blumenthal – voted best restaurant in the world in 2005. These are two of only four triple-starred Michelin restaurants in the UK.

4). Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 

To mark 60 years of The Queen’s reign the Diamond Jubilee will take place in 2012. Celebrations will centre around an extended weekend in 2012 on 2-5 June with details to be announced. A Diamond Jubilee Pageant is planned for 13 – 15 May. A portrait of The Queen’s reign will be captured in 60 photographs on display at Windsor Castle, highlighting fleeting moments from both official occasions and relaxed family gatherings (from 4 February 2012 – January 2013).

www.windsor.gov.uk

5). Tour Eton College

World famous Eton College opens its doors to visitors from April to October. Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, the School Dress still consists of a black tailcoat, waistcoat and pin-striped trousers introduced in the 1850s. Eton has educated 18 British Prime Ministers, Princes William and Harry and four times Olympic Gold Medal rower Sir Matthew Pinsent. Short guided tours of approximately one hour in length are available. Pre-booking is essential.

www.etoncollege.com

6). Discover Windsor’s Olympic heritage 

Book a private walking tour for your group with an expert Blue Badge tourist guide and discover Windsor’s Olympic heritage. Hear the amazing story of the 1908 Olympic marathon and why the official marathon route is 26 miles and 385 yards. Legend has it that the start of the marathon was moved to the Castle’s East Terrace because the then Princess of Wales wanted her children to see the race. See the only 1908 marathon route marker on Eton High Street and walk along part of the actual route. Also visit The Long Walk to see where the 1948 Olympic road cycle race took place.

www.windsortouristguides.co.uk

7). Visit Savill Garden 

The Savill Garden is part of The Royal Landscape, which also includes the Valley Gardens and Virginia Water. It is one of England’s finest woodland and ornamental gardens with 35 acres of trees, shrubbery, ponds and streams, lawns, meadows and formal beds which are home to some of the world’s most decorative plants. The new rose garden was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in June 2011. This exciting and contemporary garden is best visited from mid- June to September.

8). Horse-drawn carriage ride through the Royal Landscape 

Explore Windsor Great Park in style with a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride. Ascot Carriages www.ascotcarriages.co.ukoffers scenic drives in a beautiful Victorian carriage previously used by the Queen’s Equerry and Horsemaster. Orchard Poylewww.orchardpoyle.co.uk runs tours from outside Windsor Castle and down The Long Walk to Home Park.

9). Walk the Riverside 

Escorted by the Royal Boatmen, the Royal Family once used the Thames to travel between royal palaces. It’s less common these days to see royals on the river, but walks along the Thames Path are not to be missed. Start from Old Windsor, and once past the weir at Old Windsor Lock, cross Albert Bridge for a detour into the village of Datchet – you’ll soon return over Victoria Bridge into Home Park, with picture postcard views of both Windsor Castle and Eton.

www.windsor.gov.uk 

10). Dress up for Royal Ascot 

For almost 250 years, Royal Ascot has established itself as a national institution and the centrepiece of the British social calendar as well as being the ultimate stage for the best racehorses in the world. Tradition, pageantry, fashion and style all meet in a glorious setting where stewards wear bowler hats, ladies show off elaborate outfits and the after racing “singing round the bandstand” is a feast of fun and flag waving. Royal Ascot is the South of England’s most popular picnic spot and the most popular sporting occasion at which to picnic in the country and under-18s go free when accompanied by an adult.

www.ascot.co.uk/?page=royal_ascot 

11). Count swans with HM Swan Marker 

Follow The Queen’s Swan Marker, the Royal Swan Uppers and the Swan Uppers of the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies. The party use six traditional Thames rowing skiffs and The Queen’s Swan Uppers wear scarlet uniforms. When a brood of cygnets is sighted, a cry of “All up!” is given to signal that the boats should get into position. On passing Windsor Castle, the rowers stand to attention in their boats with oars raised and salute “Her Majesty The Queen, Seigneur of the Swans”. After weighing, measuring and a quick health check the swans are released back to the river Thames.

www.royalswan.co.uk/

12). Attend evensong at St George’s Chapel

The Choir of St George’s Chapel is one of the leading Church Choirs in the country. It comprises 24 boy choristers and twelve Lay Clerks singing alto, tenor and bass. They perform Evensong at 5.15 pm (sung every day except Wednesdays) in a service which lasts approx. 45 minutes. Founded in 1348, the choir sings regularly in the presence of the Queen and other members of the Royal family and has a large repertoire of music drawn from all ages and traditions.

www.stgeorges-windsor.org

Top 12 things to do in Windsor – Top Tourist Sites in Windsor England is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The Queen has been caught looking down in astonishment at Hayrunnisa Gul’s killer heels, while the Turkish first lady was on a state visit.

The Queen: The Queen’s look of horror at Turkish first lady’s footwear – Video is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh give President Gül a ceremonial welcome before reviewing a Guard of Honour on Horse Guards Parade.

Video: Queen gives ceremonial welcome to President Gul of Turkey is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Sixty photographs of Queen Elizabeth II are to go on display at Windsor Castle in February to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen: Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years will include the work of leading press photographers of the past six decades. The photographs show relaxed family gatherings as well as official occasions.

There have been 12 British Prime Ministers and 12 Presidents of the United States during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. She was photographed with President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline in 1961 when the Kennedies dined at Buckingham Palace. In 1982 she was photographed riding in Home Park, Windsor with President Ronald Reagan.

The Queen has travelled more than any other sovereign in history, and since 1952 has undertaken 250 official visits in 131 countries. The exhibition includes photographs of her in Mexico in 1975, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu in 1982, India in 1983 and Canada in 2010. Visitors will also be able to see pictures of her off-duty with her horses and with her beloved pet dogs.

Windsor Castle is one of the Queen’s official residences. It is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. The Queen: Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years runs from 4 February to January 2013. Admission to the exhibition and the state apartments £17 adults, £15.50 over-60s and students, £10.20 under 17s, under 5s free, £44.75 family ticket. The castle is open 9.45am–4.15pm Nov–Feb and 9.45am–5.15pm Mar–Oct.

The Castle is used frequently by the Queen for State ceremonies and official entertaining, so opening arrangements may change at short notice. There are trains to Windsor from London Waterloo and Paddington.

Windsor Castle, Windsor SL4 1NJ
Tel: +44 20 7766 7304 (advance tickets)
+44 1753 831118 (24-hour information line)
Website: www.royalcollection.org.uk
Twitter: @BritishMonarchy
Flickr: The British Monarchy’s photostream

Sixty years of royal photographs at Windsor Castle is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration will celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne. Visitors to the Palace will be able to see an unprecedented display of a number of personal jewels inherited by Her Majesty or acquired during her reign.
The exhibition will show the many ways in which diamonds have been used by British monarchs over the last 200 years. Diamonds are associated with longevity because they are the hardest known natural material. For centuries rulers have used diamonds in regalia, jewellery and precious objects. The exhibition will reveal how many of these extraordinary stones have been re-cut or incorporated into new settings during their history.

The Palace state rooms are furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection. These include paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto, sculpture by Canova, Sèvres porcelain and English and French furniture. The state rooms are open to the public each summer when the Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland.

Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration runs from 1 August to 30 September 2012, with additional dates to be added. Admission to the State Rooms is by timed ticket, with entry every 15 minutes, 9.30am–6.30pm. Tickets cost £18 adults, £16.50 seniors and students, £10.25 children 5–17, £47 family ticket.

Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
Tel: +44 20 7766 7300
Website: www.royalcollection.org.uk
Twitter: @BritishMonarchy
Flickr: The British Monarchy

Diamond Jubilee: The Queen’s Diamonds to Go On Display at Buckingham Palace is a post from: Anglotopia.net

British Prime Minister David Cameron announces that the 16 Commonwealth heads of government have agreed to end gender discrimination in succession to the UK throne. Report by Adam Sich.

ROYAL SUCCESSION: Gender discrimination rules to change is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Quoting an Aborigine proverb, the Queen states we are here “to learn, to grow, to love” as she opens the 21st Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth.

Video: Queen opens Commonwealth meeting with Aboriginal proverb is a post from: Anglotopia.net

This post is brought to you by Aussietopia – The Website For People Who Love Australia.

Highlights of The Queen’s third day in Australia include a speech to the Australian Parliament. If you’re in Australia – check out P & O Cruises.

The Queen’s speech

Queen Elizabeth II has addressed a formal reception at Parliament House, praising the “courage and resolution” shown during this year’s natural disasters.

The Queen of Australia Tour – October 2011 – Day 3

Report on Day 3 of the Australian Tour 2011 by Her Majesty Queen of Australia and The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen meets the PM

Here are some pictures of the third day:

Photos and Videos from the Queen’s Third Day in Australia is a post from: Anglotopia.net

This post is brought to you by Aussietopia – the website for people who love Australia.

The Queen’s second day of her official visit to Australia has come to a close and there was much excitement.

The big news of the day was that the Prime Minister of Australia – Julia Gillard – failed to curtsey to the Queen or wear a hat. Tut tut.

Here are some videos from the day:

The Queen visits flower festival on day two of her Australia tour

Queen enjoys first day of Australia tour

Here are also some pictures from her second day in Australia:

Queen in Australia: Highlights from the Queen’s Second Day in Australia – Pictures and Video Inside is a post from: Anglotopia.net