Ben OsborneToday marks 60 years since The Queen’s accession to the throne and to mark the anniversary she has given a special anniversary message to the nation.
February 6th is Accession Day, as it marks the day of her father, George VI’s, death in 1952 and The Queen will spend the day at Sandringham, in Norfolk, where her father passed away. The day will be marked in London by a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park, London, followed by a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.
A set of six 1st class definitive stamps, have also been issued by The Royal Mail to mark the 60th year of The Queen’s reign, as well as two specially commissioned Diamond Jubilee photographs of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh that have been released for first publication to mark the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s Accession.
In her message to the nation she speaks of fostering a spirit of national togetherness to get us through the difficult times, “Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the diamond jubilee.
”In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the UK and the wider Commonwealth.
“I hope also that this jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear heads and warm hearts as we join together in our celebrations. I send my sincere good wishes to you all.”
Only 25 when she became Queen, she has seen 11 UK prime ministers come into office and then go, with David Cameron being her 12th. The Prime Minster said of the Queen, “With experience, dignity and quiet authority she has guided and united our nation and the Commonwealth over six varied decades.”
Former Prime Minister, Sir John Major, is today launching the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, a grant-making body that aims to help those in need across the Commonwealth, combatting diseases and promoting education.
Talking about The Queen, Sir John Major said, “Most of the present cabinet weren’t born when the Queen became monarch. So there’s very little she hasn’t seen, very little she doesn’t understand. And anyone who doesn’t listen to her view and consult her when necessary is missing a huge opportunity.”
The main jubilee celebrations will take place in June but with The Queen’s visit to York in April (reported here), the spring will be an exciting time for fans of the Royals in York. With plans today for some Republican protests to push the anti-monarchy stance of some, it is clear that opinion on the Royal Family continues to divide.
