Her Majesty the Queen is the first Anglo monarch in history to reach the milestone of a diamond wedding anniversary. The royal marriage began sixty years ago, on the 20 November 1947.
In that time, it has defied the statistics, the one in three marriages that end in divorce; it has weathered the annus horribilis, the death of Diana and the snubs of Cherie Blair. It has also, in its dignified and unassuming way, become a source of national reassurance and Commonwealth prestige, a steadying influence, a humbling example of how it is done. When all is said, they have been a very good double act.
Princess Elizabeth with Prince Philip leaving Westminster Abbey after their wedding.
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip with Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1951.
Queen Elizabeth II wears the Imperial State Crown as she and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh - dressed in the uniform of Admiral of the Fleet - wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace to the crowds after her Coronation in 1953.
From his mother's arms Prince Andrew looks up at the jet fighters which flew over Buckingham Palace after the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in June 1961.
The Queen and Prince Philip arriving back at Buckingham Palace after the State Opening of Parliament in 1962.
The Queen with her family (from left) Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh on the Queen's 39th birthday, in 1965.
Queen and Prince Philip reading congratulatory messages on their silver wedding anniversary in 1972.
The Queen in 1976 on her 50th birthday, with Prince Philip and their youngest son Prince Edward.
The Queen and Prince Philip set off from Heathrow for a two week tour of Canada in 1984.
The Queen and Prince Philip on a visit to Malta in 1992.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh pose for an official portrait in 1995.
The Queen and Prince Philip on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the end of the Golden Jubilee parade in 2002.
The Queen and Prince Philip wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping of The Colour, marking the Queen's official birthday on June 17, 2006.
Queen Elizabeth II with the Duke of Edinburgh at the State Opening of Parliament in November 2007.
A series of stamps featuring images of Queen Elizabeth II with the Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate the royal couple's 60th wedding anniversary.
Her Majesty the Queen is the first Anglo monarch in history to reach the milestone of a diamond wedding anniversary. The royal marriage began sixty years ago, on the 20 November 1947.
In that time, it has defied the statistics, the one in three marriages that end in divorce; it has weathered the annus horribilis, the death of Diana and the snubs of Cherie Blair. It has also, in its dignified and unassuming way, become a source of national reassurance and Commonwealth prestige, a steadying influence, a humbling example of how it is done. When all is said, they have been a very good double act. 
Princess Elizabeth with Prince Philip leaving Westminster Abbey after their wedding.
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip with Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1951.
From his mother's arms Prince Andrew looks up at the jet fighters which flew over Buckingham Palace after the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in June 1961.
The Queen and Prince Philip arriving back at Buckingham Palace after the State Opening of Parliament in 1962.
The Queen with her family (from left) Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh on the Queen's 39th birthday, in 1965.
Queen and Prince Philip reading congratulatory messages on their silver wedding anniversary in 1972.
The Queen in 1976 on her 50th birthday, with Prince Philip and their youngest son Prince Edward.
The Queen and Prince Philip set off from Heathrow for a two week tour of Canada in 1984.
The Queen and Prince Philip on a visit to Malta in 1992.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh pose for an official portrait in 1995.
The Queen and Prince Philip on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the end of the Golden Jubilee parade in 2002.
The Queen and Prince Philip wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping of The Colour, marking the Queen's official birthday on June 17, 2006.
Queen Elizabeth II with the Duke of Edinburgh at the State Opening of Parliament in November 2007.
A series of stamps featuring images of Queen Elizabeth II with the Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate the royal couple's 60th wedding anniversary.
Marvellous post.
ReplyDeleteEven a republican would admit.
There be something special.
Bravo!
ReplyDeleteIt's entirely possible I'm just missing something, but has the Government of Canada not marked this happy occassion?
ReplyDeleteMB
A wonderful Post
ReplyDeleteAll the Mints have - the Royal Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, Royal Australian Mint...not sure about any of the government's per se, but I'd be shocked if the GGs neglected to mention it.
ReplyDeleteI am told by reliable sources there will be an announcement tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to Her Britannic Majesty and His Royal Highness!
ReplyDeleteActually, if we take a wider European perspective (or Western, for those who do not consider the UK European :-)), tomorrow is a great day in more ways than one.
Tomorrow is also the 95th birthday of HIRH the Archduke Otto.
As Convenor of Country NSW ACM I would like to say on behalf of our supporters - Congratulations to them both and may GOD Bless Them!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful blog and for keeping the light burning.(I've been a fan of The Monarchist for quite some time now.)
ReplyDeleteIn the end it appears that the GG completely bungled the congratulatory message.
ReplyDeleteHowever, The Monarchist's readers should head on over to the MLC Message. One of our members has posted the message given by the Hon. Jason Kenney on the occassion of the Diamond Anniversary. It's wonderful stuff.
M
Question to knowledgeable monarchists:
ReplyDeleteWhy do Royal bridegrooms where naval uniform at their weddings and not the uniform of one of the other armed forces?
Is this because of some sort of precedence given to the Royal Navy as the Senior Service?
Yes, that's correct. The Royal Navy is the oldest of the British Armed Forces and is therefore the Senior Service. The British Army did not come about until 1707, with the union of England and Scotland.
ReplyDeleteThe web site of Chatham House in London, England states that Her Majesty Elizabeth IInd is the Patron of Chatham House, also called the Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA). I wrote to Chatham House to ask what the role of Patron means and entails, and what the significance is of the fact the RIIA was formed by a "royal charter", but had no reply. Perhaps you would be kind enough to consider this question for a page at your Monarchist Blog. Thank you.
ReplyDeletethe phtotograph of the queen and prince philip smiling at each other says quite a lot and the queen holding her boy andrew is very tender!
ReplyDeleteYou really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I'll try to get the hang of it!
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Lovely photos of a long Reign by our Queen.
ReplyDelete