Celebrations continue for Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee

Celebrations are continuing this week across the Commonwealth as the Royal Family celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th anniversary on the throne.

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-serving monarch in British history.

Monique Goffinet Miller with the South Saskatchewan Monarchist League says the celebrations taking place across the United Kingdom and Commonwealth are historic.

“It’s extremely significant to the whole Commonwealth,” she said. “With 70 years of service, Her Majesty is rightfully being celebrated and we will see that happening over the next year and really commencing with a bang this week.”

On Day 2 of the celebrations, the Queen watched a thanksgiving service held at St. Paul’s Cathedral from Windsor Castle and did not attend the Epsom Derby because she was experiencing discomfort.

While the Queen has been limited to what she can and can’t do because of health reasons, Ralph Goodale — Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom — feels people are celebrating her more than ever.

After Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade, tens of thousands of people are packed into places like Trafalgar Square to celebrate HM’s Platinum Jubilee – do you see a part of the fly-past overhead? pic.twitter.com/2ALQRqqSKW

— Ralph Goodale (@RalphGoodale) June 2, 2022

“I think right on the surface is the feeling of gratitude for seven amazing decades, a feeling of admiration and pride for all of the things the Queen represents,” Goodale said on the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Friday.

“She has been on the throne through seven of the most turbulent decades in the history of the world. She has represented strength, stability and consistency over all that (and is) a person of high integrity.

“While people recognize she is 96 years old, many times over, they’re still in a very celebratory mood because of what she represents and what she has contributed to the United Kingdom and Canada as well,” he added.

Goodale suggests people love the Queen because of her ability to be able to relate to every-day people.

“She is an excellent conversationalist. She puts the onus on you. She doesn’t want to talk about herself, she wants to talk about you and what you’ve been doing,” he said. “She really puts that focus on the person she’s talking to and you have the feeling there’s nobody else in the world and she’s talking to you personally.”

Miller says the celebrations this week will also likely kick off a tour for Royal Family members, as they attempt to make themselves more accessible to the countries they help serve.

“I don’t believe the royal visits from the working family are a reminder of who is in charge. I think it’s more of who is serving the people and what their role is in serving the people (and) getting that education out that the Royal Family is there to serve and become an accountability partner in many governments across the world,” she said.

“They’re a sober second look and I believe their tours are there as a reminder to be more accessible to the people than ever before.”

Celebrations are expected to wrap up on Sunday in London.