Monday, April 24, 2006
Happy and Glorious
Here's a thought: ahead of the Queen's Golden Jubilee, there was a sense, a grave concern: would anyone be interested?
The sceptics may have been right to ponder, but they very clearly misunderstood the public.The Golden Jubilee was an incredible and public success.
Across the UK and the Commonwealth, there was general and enthusiastic rejoicing. And also this weekend, in recognition of the Queen turning 80 years old.
Her Majesty wanted only "a sunshiny day". She provided that herself in some of the most amazingly happy public pictures of her reign.
Windsor may have been dull and clouded; Elizabeth, dressed in vibrant red, was joyful. She was the sunshine of the day.
And the crowds gathered and sang and thrust flowers and cards - among the 20,000 she received - towards her.
Across the world, loyal toasts were made.
And the Independent newspaper, never a Royal journal, chose the day itself to focus on a tawdry monarchy: that of Nepal.
How the south-east English Charlies on the subs desk at the Indie must have chuckled at their headline and story, perfectly juxtaposed on the day of Elizabeth's birthday.
Childish.
There was more childishness to come.
Recently revived - and thank goodness for that - the BBC TV drama Dr Who just by chance, of course, carried an all-new episode of Dr Who. Marvellous stuff!
It even included a pastiche of Queen Victoria.
The drama pursued a 50-minute event of "must watch television" then, as the Daily Mail may say, and in this case correctly, took an unecessary swipe at the Royals by making Victoria a victim of a werewolf bite.
Drama? Naturally. And so much so, the cast of Paisley Buddie David Tennant and the gorgeous Billie Piper then went on to malign the present-day Royals as, essentially, mad.
Perhaps I am being too Scottish-sensitive here; or is it just that the Royals are easy targets and the BBC decided to take a pot-shot?
It was cheap, pathetic and very much out of kilter with the mood of the nation and the Commonwealth.
It must have overjoyed those subs at the Indie, who remain constantly unaware of what really captivates us.
The Queen is 80. She has rarely put a foot wrong.
Happy Birthday, Ma'm.
Charles Fletcher
charles.fletcher@caledoniamedia.com
Here's a thought: ahead of the Queen's Golden Jubilee, there was a sense, a grave concern: would anyone be interested?
The sceptics may have been right to ponder, but they very clearly misunderstood the public.The Golden Jubilee was an incredible and public success.
Across the UK and the Commonwealth, there was general and enthusiastic rejoicing. And also this weekend, in recognition of the Queen turning 80 years old.
Her Majesty wanted only "a sunshiny day". She provided that herself in some of the most amazingly happy public pictures of her reign.
Windsor may have been dull and clouded; Elizabeth, dressed in vibrant red, was joyful. She was the sunshine of the day.
And the crowds gathered and sang and thrust flowers and cards - among the 20,000 she received - towards her.
Across the world, loyal toasts were made.
And the Independent newspaper, never a Royal journal, chose the day itself to focus on a tawdry monarchy: that of Nepal.
How the south-east English Charlies on the subs desk at the Indie must have chuckled at their headline and story, perfectly juxtaposed on the day of Elizabeth's birthday.
Childish.
There was more childishness to come.
Recently revived - and thank goodness for that - the BBC TV drama Dr Who just by chance, of course, carried an all-new episode of Dr Who. Marvellous stuff!
It even included a pastiche of Queen Victoria.
The drama pursued a 50-minute event of "must watch television" then, as the Daily Mail may say, and in this case correctly, took an unecessary swipe at the Royals by making Victoria a victim of a werewolf bite.
Drama? Naturally. And so much so, the cast of Paisley Buddie David Tennant and the gorgeous Billie Piper then went on to malign the present-day Royals as, essentially, mad.
Perhaps I am being too Scottish-sensitive here; or is it just that the Royals are easy targets and the BBC decided to take a pot-shot?
It was cheap, pathetic and very much out of kilter with the mood of the nation and the Commonwealth.
It must have overjoyed those subs at the Indie, who remain constantly unaware of what really captivates us.
The Queen is 80. She has rarely put a foot wrong.
Happy Birthday, Ma'm.
Charles Fletcher
charles.fletcher@caledoniamedia.com
