I’m really excited about the jubilee weekend. Yes, this may have
something to do with five, uninterrupted days off (a way to enthuse people
about monarchy if there ever was one) but also because the predisposition to getting
excited about such things has been well entrenched in me since being a tiny tot.
As a born and raised resident of Windsor not a year went by
at school without us being called up for flag waving duty at Windsor Castle for
some ambassador or other. We learned
the history of the castle at school. We watched it burn in ’92 with huge
sadness. My wedding was next door to the castle (complete with tourists
wandering into the ceremony and taking pictures!!) My novel, that I like to consider
is maturing like a good cheese (rather than temporarily set aside!), is about monarchy
in Britain.
A Windsor Wedding! |
Then there was the highlight of primary school, the year your class got to go to the parade for the Knights of the Garter. All the royal
family walked or drove past as we sat in the baking heat (it’s always baking in
childhood memories isn’t it?!), waving our flags and cheering. On the day I
went to the Garter service I had a packet of vanilla chewitts in my pocket which
went all gooey in the sun making them even MORE perfect. The two things will be
forever linked in my mind, just as celebrations to do with the royal family and
having a jolly good time are.
Crafts for all occasions! |
I know there are many reasons to hop up and down about
monarchy but I have a lot of time for the Queen (Windsor indoctrination
speaking…!) It’s not often that you have an example of someone who was called
to a way of life, that perhaps she wouldn’t have chosen, and has fulfilled that
unceasingly with such grace and skill.
When I was Head Girl of my school in Windsor (I’ll give you
a moment to chortle about that…..) the Queen Mother passed away. We lined the
streets in silence as she was driven past to her resting place with her husband
in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. It was a very moving moment, full of
dignity, and for the first time I was touched by how important that is, for any
life to end with respect and thanksgiving. Standing there as a representative
of our school and community at only 17 years old was one of those moments that
I look back on as a flag being staked in the ground. A hint at my future where
issues like service, death and dignity in it will be part of my thinking and
even my day to day.
So I’ve learned a lot from growing up around monarchy. And
it still gives me a kick to have a woman on the throne (and as the Supreme Head
of the Church of England - what with all the dramas we’re still having about
female Bishops!) when we as women can still face such opposition when taking up
positions of leadership. Our Queen models what it is to be a woman in
leadership, and faithful to a calling, very well indeed and I, for one, am very
thankful for it.
So Happy Diamond Jubilee everyone!
'like' :) x
ReplyDeleteThanks Red!
DeleteLove it. I like the Queen, though not as much as I loved the Queen Mum. Plus the Queen Mum had some of that Scottish upbringing in her - proper feistiness which I loved about her. Long Live our Queen!
ReplyDelete(Plus both the Queen, the Queen Mum, my beloved late Nana who looked a bit like the Queen sometimes, and myself share all share a fabulous name).
Scottish feistness! Oh aye, there's a lot of that in you lassie! (Do you like my Scottish twang eh? I learned something in Aberdeen, ha ha ha!)
DeleteA lovely, thoughtful post, Nicola. Enjoy your weekend. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Perpetua, it was great fun!
Delete