I knew that something was not going to go well today when I heard that the royals were heading to Balmoral in Scotland. The Queen had not been in the best health in the past eighteeen months since Philip died, and she had been taking a step back from public life and events. I had a feeling that she was in her final weeks and that we would hear the news either by the end of this year or early next year. She'd provided over seventy years of service, and she celebrated with her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year. I was in the post office when I learned that she had passed away.
There are three large events that I particularly remember and celebrated in the Queen's life: the Diamond Jubilee, the 90th birthday, and the Platinum Jubilee.
Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Thames River Pageant: The Diamond Jubilee was held in 2012, one of the country's best years as it also marked the Olympic games, to mark sixty years of Queen Elizabeth II. The big day was the Thames River Pageant, which was organised as a tradition; a similar river pageant down the Thames was held for Queen Victoria. I got a good spot on the South Bank. So many were enjoying the atmosphere, and I caught a glimpse of the Queen as she waited and warched the War Horse sculpture run across the buildings on South Bank. I also saw other members of the royal family. The weather was rainy, and the long day did not do well for Philip and others, I'm sure. This was my only glimpse of the Queen.
Britain Gets Ready for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee: I captured photographs of the country getting ready to celebrate the queen's Diamond Jubilee. I also enjoyed Diamong Jubilee afternoon tea, which was probably the best-decorated afternoon tea that I've had.
Queen's 90th Birthday @ Biscuiteers: Ahead of the Queen's 90th birthday in 2016, I ordered biscuits to mark the day.
Queen's 90th Birthday Afternoon Tea at St. Ermin's: I indulged in a special afternoon tea in street party style at St. Ermin's hotel by myself because the bloke went to play board games. It was also my birthday weekend, so I treated myself. Unfortunately, the weather was quite wet and rainy, so the tea had to be enjoyed indoors.
Queen's 90th Birthday Screen Printing with Thornbeck and Peel: As well as indulging in the afternoon tea, I also enjoyed a small craft session to print designs onto napkins to keep.
London Celebrates Queen Elizabeth II's 90th: The 90th birthday celebrations took place across the country, and I photographed across London on that rainy weekend.
London Gets Ready for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee: London was decorated for the special event this year to mark the Platinum Jubilee - the Queen's seventy years. I captured decorations and artwork around the city.
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: A long weekend of celebrations marked Queen Elizabeth II's seventy years; this was the Platinum Jubilee weekend. There were concerts and street parties and an extra day off of work. The end of May Bank holiday was moved to Thursday and a new Bank Holiday created on Friday to open the celebrations. I made the trifle dessert that won the best dessert for the event, and I made cupcakes. We had a house party on Saturday night, followed by a street party (which was more like a sports day) on the Sunday.
Superbloom at the Tower of London: The Tower of London moat was transformed into a wildflower meadow this year to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
London's Corgi Trail Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee: To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, several different sculptures of corgis appeared around Westminster in London.
Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea at InterContinental Park Lane: I enjoyed a special Platinum Jubilee afternoon tea with a couple of friends this spring.
Peggy Porschen's Jubilee Cupcakes: Peggy Porschen knows how to decorate a cupcake! They had a special Jubilee design this year.
Chelsea in Bloom 2022: British Icons: To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee year, Chelsea in Bloom themed their event around British icons, and the Queen (and her corgi sidekicks) were a popular subject for the theme. This was my first even Chelsea in Bloom walk, and the floral displays were beautiful and very British.
Eggs of an Era Platinum Jubilee Sculpture Trail: Similar to the corgi sculptures that appeared around London, a few egg sculptures appeared around Sloane Square in the spring. Each egg was a reflection of a different decade in the life of Queen Elizabeth II during her time as Queen.
What a sad day yesterday was, and what a sad few weeks it will be.
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