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At the beginning of the year the prospect of celebrating the Queen Mother's 100th birthday seemed distant compared to the various pleasures of the millennium year ahead. What sharpened my focus was when Mr Blair decided not to support any public event with public funds and to cap it all, the BBC decided not to broadcast it. The reason that this cause me so much offence was that I am one of that generation that remembers the last war and because of it the Queen Mother occupies the same position in my esteem as my own mother. Following this slight I was delighted that private funds appeared without prompting to put on a suitable national event and ITV agreed to televise it. I also received an invitation to attend the Tribute, with partner, as a member of one of the organisations to which the Queen Mother is a patron. The invitation was followed by "Instructions to Attendees". One piece went as follows: "Dress for the Tribute is suits. Dress for the Armed Forces is No 1 Dress Ceremonial (less sidearms) with medals". As a civilian I was left in some quandary as to whether I should wear my sidearms or not. In the event we were all splendidly attired and to make it more memorable every seat was given by invitation, not a sponsor's name despoiled anything and even the souvenir programmes were free. The day itself was slightly confused by bomb scares but the royal party-planners didn't miss a trick and had us ready, seated in good time. The Tribute commenced with a stupendous march-on of massed bands, the household cavalry and guns and horses of the King's Troop R.A. Then the star of the show came in her carriage with Prince Charles. Her reception was stupendous. After reaching the dais the Queen Mother took her seat but as soon as the colours were paraded she stood - and stayed standing - for most of the parade. In addition to the military pageant there was also an enormous covered stage with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and enough choristers and choirs to form a new football league. The sound they all made was truly wonderful. After the military came the 100-year pageant and the parade of the organisations associated with the Queen Mother. This was in its way as magnificent as the military parade and was also full of delightful humour. Who will ever forget the Hastings Winkle Club or the chicken coop on wheels (Poultry Club of GB), the camels (The Grocers) and RNLI wooden lifeboat pulled by four cart horses. Where they found 200 chefs from, as well as the vintage Rolls Royces to carry the Victoria and George Cross members is a mystery. In total 31 organisations put on displays and in addition, there were other special items from the Chicken Shed Theatre Company and others. In all this the Queen Mother was clearly delighted and joyful. I hope that those of you that watched the event on the television got as much pleasure out of it as we did, who were privileged to be there. D.
Makepeace | TOP | |
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QUEEN
MOTHER'S