聚焦女王伊丽莎白二世的钻禧庆典

This year, Queen Elizabeth II marks the 60th anniversary of her accession[1] to the throne. A small proportion of Her Majesty’s subjects may recall the reign of her father, or even her uncle and her grandfather.[2] But for the vast majority, the Queen is the only head of state they have known – a constant companion through their entire lives, the still point of an often turbulent[3] world.

To have reached this milestone is an extraordinary achievement, as well as a testament to her family’s longevity.[4] Only one other British monarch has done so previously: Queen Victoria, whose Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in 1897. It was Queen Victoria who changed the tradition of a diamond jubilee, which, in Britain, normally refers to a 75th anniversary. There was considerable national unrest when Queen Victoria largely withdrew from public life after her husband’s death in 1861. Thus it was decided to bring the diamond jubilee forward to the 60th anniversary on 22 June, 1897, in hope of providing an occasion for national unity. Since then, when it comes to the case of a monarch (i.e. length of time a monarch has reigned), a diamond jubilee is the 60th anniversary.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee is definitely a significant event this year, “more exciting than the Olympics” as Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, commented. He said he had been struck by how many people saw the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as the landmark event of 2012, rather than the Olympics, as Britain enjoyed for “a summer like no other”.

For Her Majesty, what should be a joyful event will inevitably be tinged with sadness.[5] The anniversary of her accession—which she learned of while on a visit in Kenya—is also the anniversary of the day that her father died, and her mother began a 50-year widowhood. Her Golden Jubilee, in 2002, was accompanied by personal loss, with the deaths in quick succession[6] of both her mother and her sister. Indeed, the total and selfless service and dedication that the Queen has shown in her 60 years on the throne have been all the more remarkable when you consider that it was a role she was never expected to fulfil, until the abdication[7] of her uncle, Edward VIII.

Nevertheless, the 5-day Diamond Jubilee weekend was joyful, breathtaking, and surely, spectacular for all Her Majesty’s subjects all over the world. Before the grand Pageant[8] , it started as thousands of people attended the Big Lunch events. They shared lunch with neighbours and friends, hosted traditional street parties or picnic lunches in small or larger groups.

It reached a frenzied[9] climax in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The flotilla was to be a spectacular: a thousand boats, travelling seven miles under fourteen bridges, led by a floating belfry whose peals would be echoed and answered by ringing from riverbank churches along the route.[10] Three miles of mooring chains. Fourteen miles of bunting. Boats—warships, cocklers, oyster smackers, barges, fishing trawlers—too big to pass under the Thames bridges gathered at the St. Katharine Docks. There were millions of people standing by the Thames and perhaps hundreds of millions watching around the world.

No wonder the Mayor of London called it “a fantastic party” and even the Queen herself described it as “a humbling[11] experience”. Not to mention it followed in the next few days by a splendid concert at Buckingham Palace, a network of 2,012 Beacons lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth, a Carriage Procession and a Balcony appearance, a Flypast and Feu de Joie.[12] The Diamond Jubilee celebrations are truly a special and spectacular occasion for Britain. Janet McGregor, from Kentucky in America, said, “We’re jealous. We wish we were British!”

Simply being there was magic. In the Balcony appearance event with 250,000 people attending, a man from behind the crowd shouted out to his mother. “Did you see anything, Mum?” he cried. “I didn’t see anything at all!” she exclaimed jollily[13]. “And you dear?” “Nothing whatsover[14],” he said. “But never mind — we can always watch it on the TV tonight.”

For the Queen, she has been the stalwart custodian of monarchy.[15] Her reign has seen so many changes in society. She has fulfilled her role with such devotion, hard work and steadfastness over six decades, and has accomplished so much in an age of constant turmoil and tumultuous social change.[16]

For those of us who are given the rare opportunity to live through the most remarkable celebration in British history and witness the dear Queen turn 86 years old, we have memories to treasure forever.