For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess and after having what she described as her most thrilling experience she climbed down from the tree next day a Queen — God bless her.
Edward James Corbett (1875-1955)
For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
Roger Whittaker (born 1936 in Nairobi)
bids farwell to the Land of Endless Sunshine
bids farwell to the Land of Endless Sunshine
On the eastern shore of the great Lake Victoria of Africa, source of the mighty Nile, lies the Land of Endless Sunshine. It was in this beautiful gem of the British Empire the Duchess and Duke of Edinburgh came in the early days of 1952. Here lies the magnificent Aberdare Mountain Range. Here lies the beautiful Aberdare Forest. Here lies the mighty Mount Kenya.
58 years ago, on February 5, 1952, Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess and Duke of Edinburgh ascend into a tree. On that night the Princess Elizabeth ascends the Britannic Throne. The Princess becomes Her Britannic Majesty. Unknowing of the Accession, the Royal couple descend from the tree the next morning, returning to the Royal residence of Sagana Lodge in the foothills of the mighty Mount Kenya. It is at Sagana Lodge Her Britannic Majesty receives the tragic message about her father – His Late Britannic Majesty.
It is said that it was the first time in more than two centuries that a Sovereign succeeded the Throne whilst being abroad. George I succeeding Queen Anne was the previous time. Queen Elizabeth II was simply in another part of the British Empire. Her Majesty ascended to the Throne on firm ground where she was Sovereign, or at least in a tree that stood firmly on such ground.
During an uprising in the 1950s the original Treetops lodge was destroyed. A new and larger lodge was built at a nearby location.
Upon independence, Sagana Lodge was given to the government of Kenya. Upon independence, Her Britannic Majesty was given the title of Queen of Kenya, a title which she retained for exactly one year.
Congratulations to Her Britannic Majesty on Accession Day!
Happy Accession Day!
Update: The Last Farewell is not in any way from Mr. Whittaker's side about Kenya.
"The land of endless sunshine"
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely title for my homeland. As a child of those who were once colonised, I am ever more struck at the awe and love the British had for our land. As I get older and reflect on my upbringing, I see why they loved it so- and why the Africans fought them so, or at least tried or wanted to. It makes me think of a case of two men fighting for the same lovely lady- especially so in the Kenyan highlands. Her beauty striking one to the heart. But off course the dear lady already belonged to another.
But all in all, I am quite grateful to the British and I would not be opposed to be in a world where we were subjects of Her Britannic Majesty. May she be able to be more useful to her subjects through a more robust monarchy. Even though I am Catholic- may God bless the Queen.
"For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly more dearly than the spoken word can tell"
Roger Whittaker (born 1936 in Nairobi)
bids farwell to the Land of Endless Sunshine
The land of endless sunshine indeed.
cheers,
Anne
Madam, your thoughts are most welcome.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I remember so well that early morning I flew in over the red soil to what was to be my home for several years.