Today marks the 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of HM The Queen and is the start of a year of Diamond Jubilee celebrations of her service to the nation.
Isle of Wight MP, Andrew Turner, has paid tribute to HM The Queen for her 60 years of dedicated service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Image: Official Diamond Jubilee photograph, by Mr John Swannell, taken in the Centre Room in Buckingham Palace in December 2011.
Speaking this morning, Andrew Turner said:
“The Queen’s reign has spanned 12 British Prime Ministers, the first being Winston Churchill and she has provided wise counsel to them all. She has been on the throne since before I was born – it is humbling to contemplate the amount of work that has involved. Despite the current financial difficulties in the UK it is quite right that this year we should celebrate and thank our monarch who is respected and admired around the world.
“The main celebrations will take place from 2nd to 5th June which will mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation and I hope Islanders will make plans to enjoy the extended weekend. Many people vividly remember the street parties and parades in 1977 marking the Silver Jubilee – this is an opportunity to create similar memories for today’s young generation.”
Mr Turner (pictured)recalled :
“I was honoured to help welcome the Queen when she visited the Island in 2004. Over lunch at Osborne House she discussed planning difficulties at Ascot Racecourse. She was very amusing and made us all feel at ease – that is a great skill she has developed over the years.”
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Message To The Nation
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.
For more information on the Diamond Jubilee visit www.thediamondjubilee.org website.
This article has been read 548 times!
