Saturday 29 June 2013

Royal Family in the pink

My Canadian Rockies at the City Gallery

The last couple of weeks had been full of celebrations, and we especially rejoiced in the brilliant sunshine, as and when the sun felt inclined to grace us with its presence.  We did have a couple of cold nights in between, but we are not complaining right now.
Stonehenge on Summer Solstice day

Last Friday was Summer Solstice, 21st of June, the longest day of the year, and hundreds of revellers and Druids flocked to Stonehenge before 6 a.m. to see the sun rise over the ancient ring of stones, but the mists played havoc with all hopes of a celebration, even though the weather stayed dry all day.

The 21st of June was also National Care-Home Day and our local Senior-living Sunrise of Bassett, invited us to join their elderly residents at a hog roast followed by St. Winifred's School choir of young voices, singing many of our old-time favourites.  The Mayor of Southampton helped with judging the art and poster competition, and presented prizes to the winners.  It was heart-warming to see some of their alzheimer patients responding to songs they could recall.

'The Queen' painted in 2007
The Saturday before, 15th of June, the country officially celebrated the Queen's birthday, who turned 87 on the 21st of April, with the tradition of 'Trooping the Colour', carried out by trained troops, Foot Guards and Household Cavalry, at Horse Guard Parade in Whitehall, watched by hundreds, and the ceremony televised to millions. This custom was introduced by King Edward VII in the 1700s, and the Queen had so far taken 61 salutes, the first being in 1951 as Princess Elizabeth, standing in for her father, who was unable to attend.

The 'Colour' referred to the brocade and embroidered regimental flags, held in high esteem by the soldiers and officers, to symbolise their loyalty to the Crown and devotion to duty.  The flags were carried into battle to mark the regiment's location, and their rallying points.  Today the Colours are brought out only on regimental occasions and important parades, like the Queen's birthday.

The Changing faces of our Queen - 2012
Last year the Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne), with a wonderful pageant of flotilla on the River Thames, that culminated in a most fantastic firework display.  Throughout June, street parties were held all around the country in her honour,  at one of which, my husband Roy and I also took part with a group of friends, and the Mayor of Eastleigh came along to wish us all a good time, which we certainly did.

The Romsey Art Group organised a special Diamond Jubilee exhibition, for which I painted Her Majesty's many faces.

The Duchess of Cambridge
After Trooping the Colour, the Royal family rode back in open-top carriages, cheered by thousands of people lining The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace, the splendour of the pomp and pageantry had to be seen to be appreciated.  Led by the Queen, the family, without the Duke of Edinburgh this year, stepped out on to the Palace Balcony, to watch the Air Force fly-past of a Sentry AWACS plane escorted by two Typhoons, A Lancaster, a TriStar and a VC10, followed by a colourful fly-past of nine Red Arrows, trailing red, white and blue right over Buckingham Palace and across central London.

The Queen looked really happy and in the best of health, knowing that the Duke of Edinburgh was recovering in hospital from exploratory surgery, but all eyes were on the happy, glowing face of the Duchess of Cambridge, who was making this her last official appearance in public, before the birth of her baby in July.  She has given the Nation so much interest and happiness, that we all wish Kate and William the best of family life and a bright future.

All the best of summer to you.  Shall speak to you again in a few weeks.