First
Word FROM MAJESTY’S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
UNE IS ALWAYS THE BUSIEST MONTH of the royal year and in 2022 even more so
J because of the celebrations surrounding Her Majesty’s historic platinum jubilee. Everyone
wants to know what exactly is going to happen during the celebrations and the answer is
only the organisers know everything. Even then, there is always an element of surprise.
The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession
was a brilliant idea but the unexpected cold weather, torrential rain and high winds almost
caused it to be washed out. I was on board the museum ship HMS Belfast moored near Tower
Bridge and even wearing a thick winter coat I was cold. But despite the dreadful weather the
event was magnificent and because of the pouring rain that soaked both guests and performers
the celebration was all the more memorable. Unfortunately, Prince Philip caught an infection
and had to be taken to hospital, missing the concert at Buckingham Palace, the service of
thanksgiving and the grand finale.
Because her mobility varies from day to day, the 96-year-old Queen’s presence at many of
the celebrations will not be confirmed until the last moment. Of course, she will do her
very best to be at all the events if she possibly can, as she knows they have been designed
around her. Sadly, for all of us, Her Majesty’s big Classic hope Reach for the Moon has been
withdrawn from the Derby, as have her two other possibilities, Educator and General Idea.
It is disappointing that the Queen won’t have a runner in the Derby, but hopefully she will
have one in another race on the day.
There will certainly be a large presence of the Queen’s grandchildren and great-
grandchildren at the jubilee events and last month delightful photographs of one of them –
Princess Charlotte – were released by Kensington Palace for her seventh birthday, once again
taken by her mother the Duchess of Cambridge. There have been constant rumours that the
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are going to move to the Windsor area. They have allegedly
been looking at properties in the private Home Park, including Adelaide Cottage which was
given to the late Group Captain Peter Townsend and his wife Rosemary as a grace and favour
residence when he became part of King George VI’s staff in 1944.
The Cambridges have excellent schooling choices in the area, half a dozen of them co-
educational, including Lambrook in Winkfield Row. All of their children could attend this
independent school, which would remove the need for three separate security operations in
different parts of the county and be less of a burden to the taxpayer.
The Duchess of Cornwall, meanwhile, has agreed to be on the cover of British Vogue in
celebration of her 75th birthday in July. I am certain she took a great deal of persuasion to do
this and agreed only if she could talk about her charities and thus bring attention to them.
Camilla does not enjoy being centre stage although she has had to get used to it since joining
the royal family in 2005 and being thrust into the spotlight ever since. Both the Prince of Wales
and the Duchess of Cornwall will be very much centre stage at the platinum jubilee to support
Her Majesty in whatever way they can, ably assisted by the rest of the family.
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