Celebrating a Diamond Jubilee

When I was young, back in the early 1960s, my dad, a self-professed Anglophile, gave his horse-loving daughter a special gift. He presented to me a miniature, metal version of the royal Gold State Coach - a replica of the magnificent horse-drawn carriage that has transported kings and queens of the British royal family since 1762, when it was built.

Mine is packed away for safe-keeping at the moment, but as the reports of the celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, signifying 60 years of reign, are beaming across the airwaves and internet this June weekend, I thought I'd share this special memory from 50 years ago that reminds me of my late dad, his love for all things English, and my special gift.

 

Cheers and hail to the Queen!