If you are planning to build a new village hall, call it the Jubilee Hall and you will surely get it built. Subtly, the message is that celebrations should be inspired to happen behind the scenes, and then happen “spontaneously”.
As I write, it is only 72 days until the Queen reaches the milestone anniversary of her Platinum Jubilee, a remarkable 70 years of reign. Unlike Prince Philip, who was not excited at the prospect of reaching his centenary, there is every indication that the Queen is keen to achieve this milestone, and she is evidently aware that there is still Louis XIV’s reign of 72 years and 110 days to beat.
Until very recently, there was no suggestion that she would not make it. But then there was a hint of concern – The Queen looked tired when she returned from Scotland, as well she might have done, having stood for an hour and a half in high-heeled shoes after opening the Edinburgh parliament. We were told she was exhausted, though we were not at first told she had undergone tests and spent a night in hospital.
Engagements were cancelled and she did not appear on the balcony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. “Stock” pieces were brushed down in newspaper offices, but by all accounts, all that was needed was a few days’ rest. Hopefully, she will be fit and well to enjoy her Platinum Jubilee.
In 1977 the Labour prime minister, James Callaghan, would not grant government funds for the celebration of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, but I am happy to betray a confidence of the late Charles Wintour, editor of the Evening Standard. When Wintour stood beside the prime minister on the night of the fireworks over the Thames, Callaghan declared: “Just what the country needs.”
Everyone was enjoying themselves, the Queen was being well celebrated and the country got a huge boost, albeit unfunded by his government. Independent committees had been set up, most notably by Lord Drogheda and Jeffrey Sterling, to raise funds from the City of London, to ensure that the Silver Jubilee was celebrated in style.
Even back then, the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Martin Charteris, wrote to Lord Drogheda, accepting certain engagements for the Queen, but also turning some down. Charteris explained at the time that if he declined a few invitations, it was with only one thought in mind – that the Queen should remain “hail and hearty” to celebrate, in the fullness of time, her Golden Jubilee – which she did, 20 years ago.
At the time of the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the Royal Family stepped in to take on as many engagements as possible so as not to overtire the Queen and Prince Philip. This time that will be even more important.
But what a great opportunity it is for everyone to have a wonderful time. Out of the 1977 Jubilee came the Jubilee Walkway in London, which opened up the South Bank of the Thames and now hums with life. I took on running the Jubilee Walkway Trust in 2002, and with the help of Jim Walker, we ran it along the Mall for the Golden Jubilee, and later created a 60-kilometre route round outer London for the Diamond Jubilee. Since then, we have been taking the concept to all the Commonwealth countries, Overseas Territories and Protectorates. Many walkways are now in place, and they all exist “virtually”, if not yet in the ground.
Aware that the Commonwealth Games were to be held in Birmingham in July, I asked permission to install a Platinum Jubilee Walkway there. This has been mapped out, and will be a fabulous walk through Victorian Birmingham, the Jewellery Quarter, along a canal, past the university and through Cannon Hill Park. I have also planted an oak tree in my garden – one of many trees that will be planted across the Commonwealth for the Queen’s Green Canopy.
All is possible, and everyone in cities, towns and villages should get together and celebrate. The best gift to the Queen is one given in her name for the benefit of the local community. The young of today will carry the memory into the next century.
