Tomorrow, 9th September, will see Her Majesty The Queen overtake her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, as Britain’s longest reigning Monarch and take her place in the history books- if she wasn’t already there. To mark the occasion, we at Royal Central thought it would be the perfect time to share with our readers our recollections of The Queen, from first memories to stand out moments.
Here Royal Central reminisces!
The Queen on a visit to Canada in 1967.
Sean Okeeffe- Deputy Editor
I guess that from an early age I’ve always known who The Queen was, after all she was the face of my pocket money every week. I suppose my earliest memory was seeing The Queen giving her annual Christmas speech in 1996, the television was always switched on at around 3pm ready for Her Majesty though not everybody would watch, we would all certainly listen. The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales always stood out for me as I remember watching with my family and just thinking who were all of these people. As a child I had always assumed that The Queen was the head of a non-existent family though that day in 1997 I was awakened to a whole host of people from The Queen Mother to Princess Margaret and Prince Charles to Princess Anne. It finally dawned on me that The Queen wasn’t working alone!
I guess my most vivid memory and one I will tell my grandchildren in many years to come is that I was around at the time of a Diamond Jubilee. The magnitude of celebrations across that Diamond Jubilee weekend were quite spectacular. From the wet-logged River Thames pageant to the star-studded concert outside the doors of Buckingham Palace and of course the very poignant Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, it was a celebration like no other and one that will be remembered forever. It is highly unlikely that in the lifetime of us and of our children, we will ever celebrate a Diamond Jubilee again, so to be a part of the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne, well let me tell you, its a moment I will treasure forever.
Cindy Stockman- Editor
A favourite moment comes from the documentary Elizabeth R, the BBC documentary from 1992. After watching her horse come in fourth place, she wipes the tears from her eyes. She notes how she has not watched a race using binoculars, usually viewing it on the television. The Queen Mother comments “It’s the emotion.” In a rare moment that is not The Queen speaking formerly to The Queen Mother, you see a daughter correct her mother and tell her it was the wind that caused the problem. It was a rare opportunity to see a more relaxed Queen with her mother.
The second, which makes many a person’s list, is the ‘Annus Horribilis ‘speech at The Guildhall on 24 November 1992. Her Majesty delivered the address during the event marking the 40th anniversary of her Accession: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an Annus Horribilis.” The speech showed that Her Majesty recognised 1992 was not the best year for her family and felt the need to address as such, a rarity for we know such matters are not publicly mentioned. Even if it was one sentence, without the details, most remember what a terrible year it was and what transpired.
Lydia Starbuck- Assistant Editor
My first memory of the Queen is attending a street party for her Silver Jubilee. I was almost four at the time and it was cold and we all had to go in fancy dress -my parents chose to send me as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. I later saw the Queen at the Royal Tournament at Earl’s Court. We were on the other side of the arena from the Royal Box and saw her drive in and get out of her car to take her seat. She was wearing blue and even though we could barely make her out, it was still very exciting.
But what sticks out most is my mum telling me while I was still at primary school that we were lucky to have The Queen. We must have been learning about leaders because we were walking home and she said that most people in charge were men but The Queen was great at her job and showed that women were just as important even if they didn’t get the top job as often then. OK, I have an overambitious mother but I never forgot it. The Queen is a great role model, hard working and determined to do a good job. I think we all appreciate that as she celebrates her special record.
Jamie Samhan- Reporter
My memory of The Queen would be her entrance into the Olympics in 2012. Being a fan of the Royal Family I have read about their sense of humour, but most people here in Canada don’t know that side of her. Watching the opening ceremony with my family and having them so surprised at her wit as she parachuted into the arena was a wonderful chance for me to share just one of the reasons I admire Queen Elizabeth.
I have been very fortunate to meet a number of members of
the British Royal Family over the years.
I was introduced to the Queen in her Golden Jubilee Year, I
can say how she really does make you feel that there is nobody else around and
it is just you two.
Through my charity work I meet Princess Margaret on numerous
occasions both privately and publicly, she was such a vivacious person to be
with.
Likewise their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the
Duchess of Cornwall take a keen interest in all the people they meet.
Finally there are two ladies that I have been fortunate to
meet who quietly but effectively have supported Her Majesty from the sidelines
i.e. Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of York.
As you may have gathered I am a true Royalist.
God Bless her Majesty and all the members of the British
Royal Family