A Sapphire Jubilee doesn’t come by every day. And this is why British MPs think that the Queen’s 65th year on the throne should be marked with a public holiday.
Conservative MP for Romford Andrew Rosindell is leading calls for celebrations and street parties to be held in June to allow people to commemorate the milestone that only Her Majesty has reached.
He will introduce the Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee Bill into the Commons on Tuesday, seeking to cross-party support for a law allowing celebrations across the UK, its overseas territories and Crown dependencies.
[commentary]
Analysis, by Charlie Proctor, Royal Central’s Editor-in-Chief
65 years as Head of State is no small feat, and understandably people want to celebrate the occasion and Her Majesty’s longevity.
However, whereas it can be a time for celebration, it is also a time for reflection as The Queen will be thinking of her father’s untimely death.
Her Majesty has made it no secret that she understands her long reign has only occurred because of King George’s passing, so for her – it is an occasion not to be celebrated.
Nonetheless, a bill is going through Parliament and Theresa May is said not to be totally against the idea so we shall wait with baited breath.
[/commentary]
Mr Rosindell was quoted as saying, “It’s almost certainly going to be a very long time before any monarch gets anywhere near 65 years.
“It’s the first time we’ve had any Sapphire Jubilee and if we let this go by and don’t have some sort of national day of celebration, it’ll be a missed opportunity.
“It’s also for the young people – I remember the Silver Jubilee as a kid and learnt how important these national occasions are.
“I have personally spoken to Theresa May about the idea and she was certainly positive in her approach to this.”
Celebrations to mark the monarch’s accession to the throne which falls on 6 February, as opposed to her coronation on 2 June, remained a low-key affair this year, as the Queen chose to remain indoor and remember her late father King George VI who died in 1952.
“It’s almost certainly going to be a very long time before any monarch gets anywhere near 65 years.”
Andrew Rosindell MP, Romford
The previous milestone, the Diamond Jubilee, was celebrated across the Commonwealth realm and inside the country, where a four-day holiday was announced to honour the occasion.
Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to reach a Sapphire Jubilee. The only other Queen to come close to achieving that was Victoria, who ruled for 63 years between 1837-1901.
The bill is expected to win the support of a large number of MPs across the Commons, although it is still very early for any barbecue plans.
I don’t think having four days of celebration again would be really appropriate, not until the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. That being said, having a three day weekend, with some celebratory events over those days would likely be appropriate, maybe a Service of Thanksgiving on the day before Trooping the Colour, followed by a Garden Party. It’s celebratory, but low key, keeping the big celebrations for 2022.
I agree Kenneth, a low key celebration this year – but wouldn’t they need to get a move on?
You are assuming she will be around in 2022. I hope she will. I hope she lives forever. As it is we should celebrate everyday she is our beloved queen not just anniversaries.