Majesty, Open Window on an Island History

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Today Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 is ninety years-old, the longest serving monarch in British history. Here’s wishing Her Majesty a very Happy Birthday.

(Photo taken from the Internet)

There will be tributes paid across the world far greater than mine, but I could not let the occasion pass without marking it on the blog.

(Photo taken from the Internet)

Her Majesty at 90 and three kings-in-waiting,

(Photo taken from the Internet)

This poem is a villanelle.

MAJESTY, OPEN WINDOW ON AN ISLAND HISTORY

Sixty-four years on the throne,

dedicated to serving her country

a much loved, respected queen

A sunny smile for any occasion

marking milestones of pageantry,

sixty-four years on the throne

Classless greetings for everyone

unfazed by royalty, icon of dignity,

a much loved, respected queen

Her innermost thoughts unknown

to those she serves daily, faithfully,

sixty-four years on the throne

Horse riding, a life-time passion,

imaging a very human personality,

a much-loved, respected queen

No abuse of wealth of position

through years of political history;

sixty-four years on the throne,

a much loved, respected queen

Copyright R. N. Taber 2016

Alma Mater OR Matriarch Extraordinaire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

June 9th is Her Majesty The Queen's official birthday.

(see also : https://rogertab.blogspot.com/2016/04/majesty-evergreen.html

[Update Feb 6th 2019: it is 67 years to the day when her Majesty became Queen upon the death of her father, George V1 on Feb 6th 1952; she was crowned the following year.]

[Update January 14th 2018]: 2018 (June 2nd ) will see the 65th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11's coronation when thousands lined the streets to watch her travel to Westminster Abbey in the gold coach (Yes, real gold!) She had, of course, ascended to the throne in 1957 following the death of her father King George V1 in February the previous year.

(Photo taken from the Internet)

[Update November 20th 2017]:Today marks the 70th wedding anniversary of Her Majesty, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. I feel sure that hearts across the world will join mine in reaching out to them with love, respect and many congratulations.]

[Update, June 17th 2017]: Today marks Her Majesty's official birthday albeit a low key affair this year in the wake of the terrible tower block fire in North Kensington only days ago. It was very encouraging to see our Queen and Prince William visit the scene of the fire that consumed an entire block with horrific speed and has left many people dead and scores homeless. They spoke with and offered heartfelt words of comfort to survivors, emergency services, and those still seeking news of loved ones feared dead. I spoke to someone who was there and she told me that everyone appreciated Her Majesty making the effort to show she cared, demonstrating a willingness to share something of their trauma. Actions, after all, speak louder than rhetoric...of which there is plenty flying around in various socio-cultural-political arenas these days.] RT

King George VI died in February 1952; and as is the custom, his firstborn child succeeded to the throne. Princess Elizabeth was just 26 years old and married to Prince Philip. They had been blessed with two children by then, Prince Charles and Princess Anne.  So her long reign began. The date of her coronation was June 2, 1953 (it took that long to prepare.)


Update (June 11th 2016): Today marks Her Majesty the Queen’s official 90th birthday; for other (British) royalty related posts/poems, see:

http://rogertab.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/majesty-evergreen.html

http://rogertab.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/a-poem-for-baby-hrh-prince-george-of.html

http://rogertab.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/death-of-princess.html 

Portrait of the Queen and Prince Philip taken by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday. Copied from the Internet)

Diamond Jubilee, 2012 (original post):

Yesterday, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II addressed both Houses of Parliament here in London to mark her Diamond Jubilee just as she did during her Silver and Golden Jubilee years. She has already begun touring the UK; no mean feat at the age of 85 years nor for Prince Philip who is 90.

Now, as anyone who knows me is aware, I am no die-hard royalist, but one by default as I hate the idea of the UK becoming a a republic. However, I have always been a great admirer of Her Majesty The Queen. In this, her Diamond Jubilee year, it seems appropriate to repeat this poem that first appeared on the blog in 2010 and subsequently in my collection that same year.

Photo: from the Internet

ALMA MATER or MATRIARCH EXTRAORDINAIRE

Epitome of majesty,

walk-about among us she goes,

smiling thoughtfully

She sees what she will see

though just what, no one knows;

epitome of majesty

Watching over a family,

keeping politicians on their toes,

smiling thoughtfully

Mindful of a public duty,

regardless of any stones it throws;

epitome of majesty

Heard said, admiringly,

of private selves to some she shows,

smiling thoughtfully

Alma Mater to set us free

if but briefly from the world’s woes;

epitome of majesty,

smiling thoughtfully

[From: On The Battlefields Of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010]

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