The Queen looks back with a little help from time warp

IT WAS a simple visit which marked a momentous occasion.

The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee yesterday with a visit to a school in Norfolk – where she was treated to a rendition of The Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

After 60 years as the monarch of the country, the communities close to her private Sandringham estate were where the sovereign wanted to be.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She normally marks the anniversary in private, but opted for public engagements in the county where her country retreat is located for this year’s landmark.

It was a day of contrasts for the monarch who began it by issuing a heartfelt Diamond Jubilee message in which she promised to renew her pledge to serve the nation and its people.

She later found herself facing a washing line of bloomers in a “Royal Laundry” as she toured Dersingham Infant and Nursery school.

The risque display at the school – which included decorated underpants pinned to the ceiling – seemed to amuse the monarch.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Queen was the guest of honour in the school hall at a musical revue performed by pupils, during which she was treated to the rendition of The Time Warp from the cult 1973 rock musical.

The school’s headteacher, Gayle Platt, highlighted how the anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne is tinged with sadness because February 6 is the day her father, George VI, died in 1952.

She said: “It’s incredible. I feel very, very privileged. It’s been a memorable occasion, although 60 years is also time for reflection because the Queen’s father died on this day.

“So it must be hard to a degree to come here to celebrate the 6th of February, but we feel very privileged.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I hope she would have picked up the fun and enthusiasm of the children and how much we actually appreciate what she does for us.”

Lady Penn, a friend of the monarch since they were both 20, summed up her qualities in an interview with the BBC.

She said: “She’s got a very deep faith which is, I think, very important in her life. She’s very kind. She has a lot of common sense and great wisdom, she really has.

“Somebody said to me the other day that she has been the still small voice of calm in a really social revolution in this country over the last 60 years – and she has.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Prime Minister David Cameron highlighted the Queen’s “magnificent service” and how she has guided and united the country and Commonwealth with her “experience, dignity and quiet authority”.

Royal salutes were held around the UK, including in London and Edinburgh, as well as a 21-gun salute in the Museum Gardens in York.

The icy weather had forced soldiers from 35 Battery, 39 Regiment Royal Artillery to travel down to stay in York from Harlow Hill in Northumberland on Saturday to ensure they were able to perform the salute.

However, members of the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band were delayed on the A1 which was closed yesterday following numerous accidents overnight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They were due to march through the city ahead of the Royal salute, although the route had to be dramatically scaled back.

It was business as usual for the monarch despite the Diamond Jubilee and she travelled from her Sandringham estate – which, like much of England, is blanketed with snow – to King’s Lynn to meet local dignitaries and tour the town hall.

In the town centre one fan of the monarchy, who braved the cold to see the sovereign, expressed sentiments felt by many.

Janet Carter, from London, who has been following the Royals since the 1960s, said: “Her dedication to the nation is wonderful and she has been the perfect monarch for so many years. Today is an opportunity for us all to acknowledge that.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The visit to the infant and nursery school found the monarch touring classrooms filled with projects or displays with a royal theme.

The Queen was in a relaxed mood smiling and clearly enjoying her time with the three to seven-year-olds who had written to Buckingham Palace asking the monarch to visit.

In one class, the Royal Laundry was in full operation with bloomers hanging on a line and more clothes drying below. Decorated white underpants were stuck to the ceiling – all inspired by the children’s book The Queen’s Knickers, by Nicholas Allan.

A large montage was also on display of photocopied newspaper pages about the Queen’s coronation from a collection of memorabilia owned by the parents of teacher Lee Williamson.

Shock news on tour of Africa

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

THE Queen learnt that she was to become the monarch of the nation while she was staying in a remote part of Kenya with the Duke of Edinburgh.

The news that her beloved “Papa”, King George VI, had died after suffering from ill-health for several years filtered through to Princess Elizabeth on February 6, 1952, marking her accession to the throne.

The tour of Kenya was abandoned, and the young Princess flew back to Britain as Queen at the age of just 25.

The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. It was a solemn ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Geoffrey Fisher.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Crowds viewed the procession along the route, despite heavy rain. The ceremony was also broadcast on radio around the world and, at The Queen’s request, on television for the first time.

The Coronation was followed by drives through London, a review of the fleet at Spithead, and visits to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Related topics: