tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63646840366843769052024-03-08T03:32:36.210-08:00Royal RendezvousViolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-11678757753739626802024-01-14T21:05:00.000-08:002024-01-14T21:06:03.663-08:00SPECIAL LIVESTREAM Danish Succession - Queen Margrethe Abdicates, Freder...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/eMyBl0zDDTg?si=NTkhOk3rrtQrJ1Dw" frameborder="0"></iframe>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-39022846468496325052024-01-14T20:58:00.000-08:002024-01-14T20:58:18.608-08:00LIVE: Denmark's Frederik is proclaimed King Frederik X<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/3bN51n1QpcQ?si=TCkX0aXp9m4LDsWk" frameborder="0"></iframe>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-36872299481891987912023-09-22T01:11:00.003-07:002023-10-03T01:02:29.029-07:00Vet at the End of the Earth Adventures with Animals in the South Atlantic by Jonathan Hollins<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWNEQJbBos3oHxSH822upnGvyRKGV8w9VvAS_Sysc39JdxnipF78Md6JjhOQLGgJs58pKcBjcUQtTVoanteD5mf4fhr9SVCY-0Py9dRSJjayavoE9EPNlGTXBC9daTNuQ4hmhRemINqejRNVh0fHxAI9FMuoTB_xCGDroQ_14rozOXrHw3PCeWG8M/s410/cover293213-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWNEQJbBos3oHxSH822upnGvyRKGV8w9VvAS_Sysc39JdxnipF78Md6JjhOQLGgJs58pKcBjcUQtTVoanteD5mf4fhr9SVCY-0Py9dRSJjayavoE9EPNlGTXBC9daTNuQ4hmhRemINqejRNVh0fHxAI9FMuoTB_xCGDroQ_14rozOXrHw3PCeWG8M/s320/cover293213-medium.png" width="199" /></a></div><p></p><table style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; caption-side: bottom; color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;"><tbody style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><tr style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><td class="black text-end" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-align: right !important;"><br /></td><td class="ps-2" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 0.375rem !important;">When vet Jonathan Hollins is woken up to be told that his 'old buddy is dead', he is none too happy. Has Jonathan, an Indian Ocean giant tortoise, alive in the time of Napoleon, died on his watch? The residents of St Helena would be sorrow-filled, and the author had bonded with the gentle tortoise. Hollins rushes to check on him.<br /><p style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Hollins's days <span style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">e, rocky and harsh landscapes of St Helena and Tristan de Cunha are filled with adventures like this, such as dealing with mysterious toothfish deaths, cattle-murdering caterpillars and Monkat hysteria. The warm, close-knit communities of the islands welcome him with op</span>on the remoten arms as he copes with several different varieties of animals and illnesses.</p><p style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Hollins really has a talent for describing the beauty of these islands, and making the scientific details easy to understand. This is such a delightful read - I'd love to see a TV series based on this book. I am sure that it would be very popular.</p><p style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p><div><br /></div></td></tr><tr style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><td class="black flex-column text-end" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; flex-direction: column !important; text-align: right !important;">ISBN</td><td class="ps-2" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 0.375rem !important;">9780715654866</td></tr><tr style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><td class="black text-end" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-align: right !important;">PRICE</td><td class="ps-2" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 0.375rem !important;">£16.99 (GBP)</td></tr><tr style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><td class="black text-end" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-align: right !important;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; caption-side: bottom; color: #666666; font-size: 14.4px;"><tbody style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><tr style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><td class="black text-end" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; text-align: right !important;">EDITION</td><td class="ps-2" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 0.375rem !important;"></td></tr></tbody></table>PAGES</td><td class="ps-2" style="border-color: inherit; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 0.375rem !important;">304</td></tr></tbody></table>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-17359838965887015492023-09-21T18:10:00.001-07:002023-09-21T18:10:26.090-07:00The Queen and the Duke’s Visit To France in 1957. A Short Video<p> <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4BBlRVZJi7I" target="_blank">The Queen’s Visit to France in 1957</a></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-441265693600015942023-09-17T18:31:00.002-07:002023-09-17T18:31:49.872-07:00How the Honours of Scotland were Saved<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0n5MSDh0KyQZeoVS3zIby4epTLGOwrylNXZZIXU876N23gjKdza3LWKDhTHrQP59XYmtIocfB1_nwA-zKjzqUpL4uxhAGdXeqaCBxGs19ZHyLEKnr1sitfX4JIQtJZG-xmURLuD2i-n1NoiMpOhYWbTvvNNQHuA7D4hu1925_tHhMcIluR0vaEQVV/s512/512px-Dunnottar_Castle_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0n5MSDh0KyQZeoVS3zIby4epTLGOwrylNXZZIXU876N23gjKdza3LWKDhTHrQP59XYmtIocfB1_nwA-zKjzqUpL4uxhAGdXeqaCBxGs19ZHyLEKnr1sitfX4JIQtJZG-xmURLuD2i-n1NoiMpOhYWbTvvNNQHuA7D4hu1925_tHhMcIluR0vaEQVV/s320/512px-Dunnottar_Castle_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Dunnottar CastleEduardo Unda from Aberdeen, UK, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<p></p><p><br /> Christian Fletcher rode fiercely along the cliffs of North-East Scotland near Stonehaven, looking behind her occasionally to make sure that she wasn't being followed. She guarded the precious cargo of the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) which she would throw into the sea if there was any danger of Cromwell getting his hands on them. It was 1652, and Cromwell and the New Model Army, furious about Charles II's coronation in Scotland, were anxious to destroy the Honours. </p><p>They had surrounded Dunottar Castle, where the Honours were hidden in sacks of wool for months, but Sir George Ogilvie, the lieutenant-governor of the castle refused. During the blockade by Cromwell's army, Elizabeth Doublas, his wife, and Christian Fletcher, the seemingly meek minister's wife formed a plan. They knew that the minister's wife would never be suspected. Helped by Anne Lindsay, who walked out of the castle first with the King's papers sewn into her clothes, and a maid, Christian Fletcher carefully smuggled the Honours out. According to one story by a tutor to the Earl Marischal, she lowered them to the beach below where her maid pretended to gather seaweed. However, she said in 1664 that it took her three trips, and she hid the jewels amongst sacks of goods.</p><p>She hid them at the foot of her bed first, but then managed to hide them under the pulpit at Kineff Kirk, where they remained for eight years. They were eventually found, to the country's great delight, in an oak chest at Edinburgh Castle. This was largely due to Sir Walter Scott's campaign to find the valuable jewels.</p><p>Fletcher was awarded 2000 marks by the Scottish government for her daring rescue of the jewels.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-79532435635175714072023-07-11T22:40:00.006-07:002023-07-11T22:42:46.303-07:00King Charles's 'Scottish Coronation"<p> You can watch it here: <a href="<iframe width="830" height="467" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dKa6eSauLGg" title="Live: King Charles&#39; Scottish &#39;Coronation&#39;, Thanksgiving Service and Royal Procession" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>">Scottish Coronation</a></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-69180543716401884162023-07-11T22:29:00.003-07:002023-07-11T22:29:59.439-07:00What Are The Honours of Scotland?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGTgCrYGb0IlQ7YnrdhyUSkx2JUl2exZPnnokQs5ZYTcFjk0GfwSFvTQh-btIZerCYP9AwZ_s9tHaw5FgCes8Tl8cb_5m6qcjMxSB1ABUhDrUoKubVbvAMW4m7677Xzkc71PjehLiP-P83SbLbGBFjIecMW4jJsNEJHXQN6U4qFrVpgVC4Kh9PwPr/s633/633px-Rediscovering_the_lost_'Honours_of_Scotland'.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="633" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGTgCrYGb0IlQ7YnrdhyUSkx2JUl2exZPnnokQs5ZYTcFjk0GfwSFvTQh-btIZerCYP9AwZ_s9tHaw5FgCes8Tl8cb_5m6qcjMxSB1ABUhDrUoKubVbvAMW4m7677Xzkc71PjehLiP-P83SbLbGBFjIecMW4jJsNEJHXQN6U4qFrVpgVC4Kh9PwPr/s320/633px-Rediscovering_the_lost_'Honours_of_Scotland'.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<p></p><p><br />The huge crowd waiting on Castle Hill cheered loudly as they watched the Royal Standard rise above/Edinburgh Castle. They hugged each other, dancing for joy. The Honours of Scotland, the oldest Crown Jewels in the British Isles, had been found.</p><p>After a long struggle, Sir Walter Scott had received a Royal Warrant allowing him to accompany the Scottish Officers of State to search the sealed Crown Room in the castle for the Honours. Few thought that they would actually be stored away there safely. However, it was Scotland's and the great writer's lucky day. The jewels were wrapped carefully in linen in an iron-bound oak chest. It was February 4, 1818, and they had been locked away since the Treaty of Union with England in 1707.</p><p>The crest of the royal arms of Scotland shows the red lion of the King of Scotland wearing the crown, and holding the sword and sceptre. These three components make up the regalia of the Honours. When Scottish monarchs were first crowned, they wore gold circlets on their heads. These became fancier, and more detailed over the years. The sword was an 'instrument of sovereignty', and a symbol of power, while the sceptre indicated that the monarch would rule with 'dignity and propriety'.1.</p><p><b>The Crown</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu00-FX3aDuTAslmiYRHI1qadFav6apB3OrVEyKk0Y7fPeICRLNGPg-MYA6I5qkiWM5GP7JFeupKxpSOHrKS_M--y3awsAQSzm-yefBsg8z26ESz8wFW8KpVIW3RiqaPRm88-Y_x9NlVIIquit97da0-Ky4ovLRCVKQknOS3SrFr2Ngu-KEnqBaJMO/s510/The%20Scottish%20Crown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="510" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu00-FX3aDuTAslmiYRHI1qadFav6apB3OrVEyKk0Y7fPeICRLNGPg-MYA6I5qkiWM5GP7JFeupKxpSOHrKS_M--y3awsAQSzm-yefBsg8z26ESz8wFW8KpVIW3RiqaPRm88-Y_x9NlVIIquit97da0-Ky4ovLRCVKQknOS3SrFr2Ngu-KEnqBaJMO/s320/The%20Scottish%20Crown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Scottish Parliament., CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p>The present crown dates from around 1540 when James V instructed Mosman, an Edinburgh goldsmith, to refashion the original crown. It consisted of a circlet of Scottish gold, 22 new gemstones, and precious stones from previous crowns, along with freshwater pearls from Scottish rivers. A velvet and ermine bonnet was added later.</p><p>A picture of the previous crown was included in the Book of Hours commissioned for the wedding of James IV and Margaret Tudor (Henry VIII's sister) in 1503.</p><p><b>The Sceptre</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>Scotland was regarded as 'a special daughter of the Holy See', so it was a recipient of papal gifts. Pope Alexander V gave the sceptre to James IV in 1494.James V also had this remodelled and lengthened in 1536 by the Edinburgh goldsmith Adam Leys. It is a handle attached to a hexagonal rod, engraved with thisles, fleurs-de-lis, and many other images, topped with a finial of rock crystal probably from the Cairngorm Mountains.</p><p>Originally made in Italy of silver gilt, it was remodelled and lengthened for James V in 1535 by the Edinburgh goldsmith Adam Leys. 86 cm long, it consists of a handle attached to the bottom of a hexagonal rod, engraved with floral images, fleurs-de-lis and grotesques. Stylised dolphins (a symbol of the early Church) and figures, including one of St Andrew, are at the top of the sceptre. </p><p><b>The Sword of State</b></p><p>The Sword of State was another papal gift to James IV, this time from Pope Julius II. This was beautifully crafted by the Italian Domenico da Sutri, and elegantly decorated with oak trees, which symbolise the risen Christ, and dolphins. The sword's base is etched on both faces with the figures of St Peter and St Paul, along with the Pope's name in inlaid gold lettering. </p><p>The sword also features a scabbard, covered in dark red velvet, and an enamelled panel with the arms of the Pope, and a symbol of the papacy. Images of oak leaves, acorns, dolphins and grotesques also adorn the scabbard. The belt is made of silver and gold thread.</p><p>The Honours were first used for the coronation in 1543 of Mary, Queen of Scots, just a baby, who reportedly cried all through it. They were also prominent at James VI's coronation in 1567, and Charles I's in 1633. Charles II's coronation in 1651 in Scotland in the middle of the Civil War so angered Oliver Cromwell that the Scots were terrified of his getting hold of the precious Honours, and ordering them sold, or melted down. They were ordered by the Scottish authorities to be hidden, and first taken to the gloomy fortress of Dunottar Castle. This was besieged for 8 months, so the brave local minister's wife and her friend, took them to Kinneff church (perhaps in a lobster pot!) under the floor for nine years.</p><p>The Honours of Scotland were put on public display in 1822 when George IV visited Scotland, and they have been used for many state occasions since. The Honours were presented to King Charles III in celebrations on July 5, 2023, but the old sword was deemed too fragile. A new sword, dubbed the 'Elizabeth Sword' was used for the occasion.</p><p>1. Burnett, C.J. Tabraham, C.J. (2001). <i>The Honours of Scotland. The Story of the Scottish Crown Jewels.</i> United Kingdom: Historic Scotland, p.22</p><p class="push--top" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Gotham SSm A", "Gotham SSm B", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1.5rem !important; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: EBGaramond, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-72116397048293490832023-07-07T17:22:00.001-07:002023-07-07T17:22:25.318-07:00King Charles III’s Second Coronation<p><a href="https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/king-charles-scottish-coronation-pieces-performers/" target="_blank">King Charles’s Scottish Coronation</a><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-50113856291265145052023-06-03T23:41:00.006-07:002023-06-03T23:52:54.935-07:00Anne Wears St. Edward's Crown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HdYGSMKO1alq8Ml7ozFjV5fMGy5UJZJW0guWoxmsfvm2BeSYHPHPnfJJIM5FY7vkvlj6bpEk4OxPuyXSFTCx4o1mdcGbfs-2qdAxA6Dlks4IFNuwYUBAXNZ4dVPzYSQDkd3d8ah4o0bUqC1NEoAOApNS0TTCgisQFhdudpiIncowz2YwEGmnvA/s599/AnneBoleynHever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HdYGSMKO1alq8Ml7ozFjV5fMGy5UJZJW0guWoxmsfvm2BeSYHPHPnfJJIM5FY7vkvlj6bpEk4OxPuyXSFTCx4o1mdcGbfs-2qdAxA6Dlks4IFNuwYUBAXNZ4dVPzYSQDkd3d8ah4o0bUqC1NEoAOApNS0TTCgisQFhdudpiIncowz2YwEGmnvA/s320/AnneBoleynHever.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3px;">Near contemporary painting of Anne Boleyn at </span><a class="new" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hever_Castle&action=edit&redlink=1" style="animation-delay: -0.01ms !important; animation-duration: 0.01ms !important; animation-iteration-count: 1 !important; background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #dd3333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3px; overflow-wrap: break-word; scroll-behavior: auto !important; text-decoration-line: none; transition-duration: 0ms !important;" title="Hever Castle (page does not exist)">Hever Castle</a><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3px;">, c. 1550</span><div><br /></div><div>Anne Boleyn's most famous motto was 'the most happy,' and indeed she must have been overjoyed to begin her coronation festivities. After a long and traumatic courtship of seven years, she was finally married to the handsome King Henry VIII, and six months pregnant. Now she was going to be consecrated as Queen in a magnificent ceremony.<div><br /></div><div>On May 29, 1533, a spectacular procession of barges set out to Greenwich to begin the journey to the Tower of London, where Anne would be staying before her coronation. About 50 barques followed the leading one with its green dragon making 'noises'. Then came the Mayor's boat with its silver and gold banners, and escutcheons bearing the arms of the King and Queen. One barge displayed a large model of a white falcon, one of Anne's emblems. People must have been overwhelmed by the splendour, and the cacophony, although Anne was not popular, because many remained sympathetic to poor Queen Catherine, treated horribly by Henry.</div><div><br /></div><div>Queen Anne set out for the Tower of London in her barge at 3.00 pm. As it approached the Tower, more than a thousand guns were fired in a magnificent salute. Sir Edward Walsingham (the Lieutenant of the Tower) and Sir Kingston met Anne. The King embraced and kissed her lovingly. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anne rested the next day. The Ceremony of the Knights of the Bath was also held on this day.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Queen Anne's Procession</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Dressed in white cloth of gold with a gold coronet on her flowing, long dark hair, Anne looked stunning as she set out to Westminster Abbey the next day on her procession. Borne in a litter by the four Lords of the Cinque Ports, followed by ladies' chariots and ladies of the court wearing gowns of crimson and velvet, riding horses, she was watched by crowds of onlookers. Guilds dressed in their liveries lined up while the Recorder of London made a presentation to the Queen, and the Mayor gave her a purse of 1000 marks of angel nobles.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Anne travelled along the route lined with its vivid scarlet, crimson and blue cloth, she witnessed several pageants to honour her. She especially liked seeing the 200 children who recited poetry praising her and the King in front of the Cathedral. After Anne ended her journey at Whitehall Palace, she secretly spent the night with Henry at Westminster.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Queen Anne's Coronation</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>June 1 must have been tremendously exciting for Anne. Her heart beat rapidly as she prepared for her her coronation day. Two dreams were coming true for Anne. She was about to be anointed as Queen, and she thought that she was carrying the King's heir.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anne set out dressed in purple and ermine. Her procession to the Abbey included monks wearing gold copes, bishops and archbishops in their finest vestments and an array of courtiers. Her maids wore scarlet with Baltic fur. The Duke of Suffolk bore her crown while two earls carried her sceptres.</div><div><br /></div><div>The soon-to-be consecrated Queen walked along a route lined with blue ray to the high altar with the Duchess of Norfolk carrying her train as the procession filed into the great Abbey. Her moment had come! She sat down briefly; then she prostrated herself before the altar while her friend and spiritual counsellor, Archbishop Cranmer prayed over her. (It must have been hard for Anne to do this when she was six months pregnant!) She sat on St Edward's chair to be anointed and crowned by the Archbishop, who then handed her her scepre and rod of ivory. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anne was the only female Queen to be crowned with the St Edward's Crown. This showed the importance of the ceremony to Henry. She took the sacrament, and made the offering at the shrine of St Edward the Confessor. The King watched incognito from a special screen behind latticework. Anne must have been exhausted, but she was finally Queen in the eyes of God.</div></div>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-5522966667728750542023-05-20T00:22:00.002-07:002023-05-20T00:23:08.387-07:00Anne’s Last Moments<p><a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q8k9o3ggbis">Anne’s Last Moments</a></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-39860225789790907042023-05-10T00:53:00.002-07:002023-05-10T00:53:20.723-07:00The Disastrous Coronation of William the Conqueror<p> Unlike King Charles III's splendid ceremony, William the Conqueror's coronation was a disaster. The King, who had looked forward to a magnificent ritual, instead faced fires, riots and even killings. It was probably the only time that this stern, immensely proud man actually found himself trembling!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciBzrxQN4y89OxMrneIrFRDxn6GtLDZPShDL5M0wQ-pYfAJ36AKeHDBmk-tMBxpwvd_Y5mtS_SQvitS5IwPy3TBVroA64FAMwMiGH6bMdHtXmKR-WXUnt7_VVrA8l6Ioql1_oOzlUf8ogKmWaurvAefGRgbHEviG5R5i8DKIu-UEy6oJ6NAAQBw/s333/Vilem1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="214" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciBzrxQN4y89OxMrneIrFRDxn6GtLDZPShDL5M0wQ-pYfAJ36AKeHDBmk-tMBxpwvd_Y5mtS_SQvitS5IwPy3TBVroA64FAMwMiGH6bMdHtXmKR-WXUnt7_VVrA8l6Ioql1_oOzlUf8ogKmWaurvAefGRgbHEviG5R5i8DKIu-UEy6oJ6NAAQBw/s320/Vilem1.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br />Matthew Paris, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<p></p><p>After beating King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William conducted a brutal military campaign in London, eventually forcing Edgar Atheling, the grandson of Edmund II and Saxon heir to the English throne, to surrender. William wanted to defer his coronation that his wife Matilda could be crowned with him, because she was descended from Alfred the Great, so the Anglo-Saxons were more sympathetic to her than to a Norman invader. He said that 'since God granted him this honour, he wished for his wife to be crowned with him'.(Matilda was acting as regent of Normandy). However, he was advised to have the ceremony as soon as possible to assert his authority.</p><p>William was crowned on Christmas Day in 1066 in Westminster Abbey on the very spot where Edward the Confessor, who had allegedly promised him the throne, was buried. There were bad omens from the beginning. Stigand, the Archbishop of Canterbury, refused to perform the ceremony, because he would not 'crown one who was covered with the blood of men, and the invader of others' rights'. The ceremony was conducted by Aldred, the Archbishop of York, in English, and in French by the Bishop of Coutances. William had looked forward to his coronation, even commissioning a magnificent new, crown 'fashioned out of gold and precious stones' with a ruby at the centre. The order would be the one laid out by Saint Dunstan with some French additions, such as the acclamation of the King.</p><p>Norman guards were placed outside the Abbey in case of any trouble. Unfortunately, when the people were asked to acclaim the King, the noise was so loud that the guards thought that there was a riot, and began setting fire to buildings in a violent attempt to put it down. According to one chronicler, smoke filled the church, and the congregation began to flee. William watched 'trembling from head to foot' but he had the presence of mind to insist that the ceremony be completed, William then took the oath, in which he promised 'that he would rule all this people as well as the best of kings before, his, if they would be loyal to him,' and he was finally crowned. </p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-477967542519793762023-05-06T01:19:00.001-07:002023-05-06T01:19:11.043-07:00The King and Queen Have Arrived At Buckingham Palace<p> The King and Queen have arrived at BP.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-9937718068454727802023-05-05T23:43:00.000-07:002023-05-05T23:43:34.207-07:00The First Guests Arrive.<p><a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SWBzutebWnw" target="_blank">Guests arrive.</a><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-16421525923775334942023-05-05T23:30:00.002-07:002023-05-05T23:30:16.407-07:00The BBC Guide to the Coronation<p> The King’s big day has arrived, and excitement is rising! Here is the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65254834" target="_blank">BBC Guide</a>.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-90159130901134916052023-05-04T23:40:00.001-07:002023-05-04T23:40:09.908-07:00The New King Will Ride In Comfort To His Coronation in An Australian-Made Coach<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsaDHYaJa3p0jgfV0E1t8TmJhQyB9fZ5LNqUToo_7hFq4Wdr3B6ltZviY7ZC8jvwjwAFWrhRwUWEBQlYwVGkf9u_gIo4xosUMl5mts3QAO1idcHbIr-xDStUGDXhtI_jgt2iSap4QGR7Blwjhe4u4sFquAbFitK1VL4HQbV6eaUgXvXZEzpOXUA/s512/512px-Coach_Britannia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="512" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsaDHYaJa3p0jgfV0E1t8TmJhQyB9fZ5LNqUToo_7hFq4Wdr3B6ltZviY7ZC8jvwjwAFWrhRwUWEBQlYwVGkf9u_gIo4xosUMl5mts3QAO1idcHbIr-xDStUGDXhtI_jgt2iSap4QGR7Blwjhe4u4sFquAbFitK1VL4HQbV6eaUgXvXZEzpOXUA/s320/512px-Coach_Britannia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Diamond Jubilee State Coach, Grahamedown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<p></p><p>King Charles III will ride in comfort to his coronation tomorrow in an Australian-made coach. The Dianond Jubilee State Coach was made by Jim "WJ" Frecklington in Manly, Sydney. The beautiful coach has six hydraulic stabilisers to ensure a smooth ride, heating, electric windows and even air-conditioning. It needs six horses to draw it, though.</p><p>Jim Frecklington, who used to care for the Queen's show horses, wanted to make 'something nice' for her. Although he received a grant from the Howard government for $245,000.00, he also mortgaged his house so that he could afford to manufacture it.</p><p>The coach is made from aluminium on the outside which looks like old-fashioned wood, but the interior wooden panels include segments from 100 historic palaces, ships and buildings, including the<i> Mary Rose</i>, the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral. The crown on top of the coach is crafted from timber from Lord Nelson's famous ship, <i>HMS Victory</i>. Jim Frecklington told the <i>Sydney Morning Herald</i> that he 'tried to encapsulate 100 years of the history of England in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach which I think is the reason that King Charles is very fond of that particular coach'.</p><p>The coach was first used at the state opening of Parliament on June 14, 2014.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-18751794883444698232023-04-30T23:10:00.000-07:002023-04-30T23:10:03.679-07:00The Coronation Cross Will Include Fragments From The True Cross<p>The Cross of Wales will lead the way in the coronation procession into Westminster Abbey on May 6. Recently blessed by the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, at the Holy Trinity Church in Landudno, the cross will include fragments believed to be from the True Cross on which Jesus was sacrificed. Saint Helena was supposed to have discovered them in the fourth century. These shards were a personal gift from the Pope to the King. The inclusion into the coronation cross is an ecumenical gesture showing unity between the denominations.</p><p>The fragments have been made into a tiny cross encased into a rose crystal gemstone in the centre of the cross. Inscribed on the back are words from Saint David's last sermon in Welsh. Translated, they mean: 'Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the Little Things'.</p><p>The Cross of Wales, made from recycled silver bullion, was commissioned by the King when he was Prince of Wales to celebrate the centenary of the Church in Wales.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-37204093851441959852023-04-29T19:58:00.000-07:002023-04-29T19:58:21.092-07:00The Rushed Coronation of Henry III<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RRJDqgGO6z0kaA6GKrrxCehS9fkrtqTWY3Ssiuh9xcl3LmvLvR1XnEHfOHaopbG-LJypHW4jC7h8uE0MaRQTwhm2-NyWepb7hsZGxu6tINopGZ7nv_0tJ1-ii4M7QsC1mRWsdagUWLUxqJPM75thRDTle96sjriBsyXK-bzcFCGAlBl7l9nmig/s599/532px-HenryIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RRJDqgGO6z0kaA6GKrrxCehS9fkrtqTWY3Ssiuh9xcl3LmvLvR1XnEHfOHaopbG-LJypHW4jC7h8uE0MaRQTwhm2-NyWepb7hsZGxu6tINopGZ7nv_0tJ1-ii4M7QsC1mRWsdagUWLUxqJPM75thRDTle96sjriBsyXK-bzcFCGAlBl7l9nmig/s320/532px-HenryIII.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>AnonymousUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<br />During the bleak autumn of 1216, civil war and turmoil beset the British Isles. Prince Louis of France had been invited to take the throne during the First Baron's War against King John, and he believed that he had a strong claim because his wife Blanche of Castile was Henry II's granddaughter. When King John died on October 19, the Prince's forces were in control of London. Barons were rebelling in the north, and Llywelyn the Great was gaining more influence in Wales.<p></p><p>Lying on his death-bed, the King asked his trusty friend, William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, to take charge of his little son, and keep him under his protection. Did the country really want a nine-year old King, and a Regency? After the death of the King, some of his former enemies 'returned to the flock', and supported a new reign. A Council was formed under William Marshall which decided to crown the new King, but a hasty coronation was needed before the country fell into further disarray. The state of affairs was so insecure that the Papal Legate had to excommunicate Prince Louis to prevent him being crowned! As Louis was in control of London thus cutting out Westminster Abbey, Gloucester Cathedral (then a Benedictine abbey) was chosen for the coronation.</p><p>There is a story that the young boy was actually carried to his coronation, a rushed affair, without the usual pomp and ceremony. The young King swore the traditional oaths to 'protect the Church, deliver justice to his people, and drive out evil laws and customs wherever they were found in his realm,'1. and gave homage to the Pope. Supervised by Guala Bicchieri, the Papal Legate, Henry was annointed by Peter des Roches, the Bishop of Westminster, who crowned him with a circlet belonging to his mother. According to legend, King John had lost the royal crown in The Wash, a large bay off the east coast of England. His heavy coronation robes were also borrowed, and had to be cut to fit him.</p><p><b>Henry's Second Coronation</b></p><p>Henry saw to it that no expense was spared for his second coronation on May 17, 1220 in Westminster Abbey. This coronation cost the then huge amount of 760 pounds, and Henry's splendid regalia included a 'golden crown set with diverse stones', golden spurs, a silver-gilt rod, a golden sceptre and five swords.</p><p><a href="https://www.medieval.eu/800th-anniversary-coronation-king-henry-iii/" target="_blank">The Re-Enactment of the Coronation of Henry III</a><br /></p><p>1. Lewis, M. (2016). Henry III: The Son of Magna Carta. United Kingdom: Amberley Publishing.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-24032778644695988052023-01-04T21:09:00.002-08:002023-01-04T21:11:09.622-08:00King Charles Makes His First Christmas Speech as Monarch<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/AkqN60BqyTQ" frameborder="0"></iframe>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-24129454919626044702022-11-14T00:34:00.002-08:002022-11-14T00:34:58.962-08:00Princess Margaret’s True Love<p> </p><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqhASLlZFkhx7HRtwZ9uPqU4CRwZb60RXd77B-Qgqt6Pguibfkek2HsfwU0REARX30JyCPxXoODOXhiEzQQCI1NiaGNQB1Vc3pFEN7iZbG53G2b-EWGu0BfCgvt67QugMUhn9yYbJivO4Th_7J-FPNCevXjgdozBeUkLZYRGJKjRt8N57s8ZLfw/s600/Prinses_Margaret_van_Engeland_%E2%80%93_1948_%E2%80%93_Bestanddeelnr_107-0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqhASLlZFkhx7HRtwZ9uPqU4CRwZb60RXd77B-Qgqt6Pguibfkek2HsfwU0REARX30JyCPxXoODOXhiEzQQCI1NiaGNQB1Vc3pFEN7iZbG53G2b-EWGu0BfCgvt67QugMUhn9yYbJivO4Th_7J-FPNCevXjgdozBeUkLZYRGJKjRt8N57s8ZLfw/s320/Prinses_Margaret_van_Engeland_%E2%80%93_1948_%E2%80%93_Bestanddeelnr_107-0901.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br />The beautiful princess at Queen Juliana's coronation in 1947 Fotograaf Onbekend / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Princess Margaret once said that she would curse Tommy
Lascelles, the Queen’s Private Secretary, until the day she died. She largely
blamed the indefatigable courtier for preventing her marriage to the handsome
Group Captain Peter Townsend, arguably the love of her life. This doomed
romance she later said had ‘ruined her life’. Would she have been happy with
the tall, good-looking Group Captain? Her being prevented from
marrying him unless she gave up her royal rights and privileges certainly seems almost
unimaginable today (at least in the UK), and extremely unfair.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The romance began when Princess Margaret was very young. In
one account, a woman who worked at Queen Adelaide’s Cottage where Peter
Townsend and his family lived when he was equerry to King George VI used to
watch Princess Margaret visit the family. This woman thought that the Princess
had a ‘crush’ on Townsend, and that she wasn’t there to see his wife and two sons!
The very attractive Princess used to persuade Peter to go riding with her. Once she was 17, she used
to leave the top buttons of her blouse undone, and Townsend must have found
thoughts of a relationship hard to resist!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Princess became even closer to him on the family’s South
African tour in 1947, walking and riding with him in the stunning countryside.
No wonder Townsend’s marriage began to show signs of strain when he came back! She also insisted that he accompany her to Queen Juliana’s coronation in
Holland in the same year, where people noticed the attraction between them.
After Townsend became Deputy Master of the Household, Princess Margaret was
only one floor above him, so they could easily meet and talk. (There is a
touching scene in “The Crown” in which she rushes down to kiss him, wearing the
most gorgeous dress). As the romance grew stronger, they even built cairns of
stones in the countryside near Balmoral to celebrate their rides together,
taking a leaf from Queen Victoria who did this to commemorate happy occasions).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Soon Townsend was granted a divorce from his wife, who
married John de Lazlo (the son of the famous artist) two months later. Princess
Margaret and Townsend discussed marriage as they rode together, or walked under
the oaks and beeches of the Great Park at Windsor Castle. When Lascelles heard
of this, he was furious, telling the Group Captain that: ‘You must be either
mad or bad’. However, he also told the couple that the marriage was possible,
but vowed secretly to do everything that he could to prevent it. He advised the
Queen that Townsend should be sent abroad immediately.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The affair remained secret until the Princess brushed fluff
off Townsend’s uniform at the Queen’s coronation in 1953. After this, gossip reached
breaking point. Tommy Lascelles and Winston Churchill were both strongly
against the match, and Winston Churchill told the Queen that Parliament would
probably not approve the match. (Princess Margaret needed the approval of
Parliament and the Dominions to marry the Group Captain because of his divorce,
and because she was under 25). The couple agreed to postpone the engagement,
and for Townsend to go away. The Princess thought that she would see him again
after her tour, however, but he was sent to the British Embassy in Brussels for
two years, while she was away! She must have been furious.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">According to Noel Botham, however, Townsend saw her secretly
at romantic weekends at friend’s country houses on visits to England during
these years. Nobody told the Princess, however, that it was unlikely that
Parliament would approve the match even after she was 25 – she later said that
if she had known the position of the Church and that she would have to give up
her royal advantages if they married, they would have ended the romance near
the start.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the Princess turned 25 in 1955, she and Townsend were
horrified to discover the attitude of the PM (Sir Anthony Eden, who was
divorced himself), Parliament and the Church. At a meeting with the Queen and
Prince Philip, Margaret was told by the PM that her only option if she wanted
to marry Townsend was to give up her right of succession and her Civil List
income. This would require Parliament to pass a special bill, and he thought
that it would cause ‘irreparable damage to the crown’. Also, any children the
couple had would be regarded as illegitimate by the Church of England. Margaret
did not realise this. As Princess Margaret was very religious, this may have
been the deciding factor against the marriage.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A leader in <i>The Times</i>, stated that the Royal family
should present a model of an ideal family life, and if the Princess married
Townsend, this would become ‘distorted’, and that many of the Queen’s subjects
would not ‘in conscience regard as a marriage’. Faced with such pressure,
Margaret and her tall, handsome Group Captain decided against the match. He
later wrote that they may not have enjoyed a happy marriage. She would have
‘had to give up everything –her position, her prestige, her privy purse.’ He
didn’t think that he had ‘the weight…to counter-balance all she would have lost’.
He also wouldn’t have wanted her ‘to become an ordinary housewife’.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, if she had not had to give up everything, and if
she had been allowed to marry Townsend, perhaps they would have been happy. Unfortunately,
fate had other plans for the popular, attractive and lively Princess.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0kYFVKqL_jMC3VrT0YX6Tw-DMVa33iHLax68ItZ1-IP-w2yeFRlUDKCzE2MbcG1b3y7il80mFBxEFP2r_w26qyI1J_JjYwetpDM-WguFcB3LeB0KLulzyRtDkLZMgQE4xTbDU5YlAv31tP2oTRLBFpeZ-eALqU9dQmW9e2Y5ILr3Wxw-ATy4Jg/s327/Peter_Townsend_(1914-1995).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="235" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0kYFVKqL_jMC3VrT0YX6Tw-DMVa33iHLax68ItZ1-IP-w2yeFRlUDKCzE2MbcG1b3y7il80mFBxEFP2r_w26qyI1J_JjYwetpDM-WguFcB3LeB0KLulzyRtDkLZMgQE4xTbDU5YlAv31tP2oTRLBFpeZ-eALqU9dQmW9e2Y5ILr3Wxw-ATy4Jg/s320/Peter_Townsend_(1914-1995).jpg" width="230" /></a></div>Daventry B J (Mr), Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<div><br /></div><div>Sources</div><div><br /></div><div>Botham, Noel. <i>Margaret, The Untold Story. </i>Blake Hardbacks, England, 1994</div><div><br /></div><div>Pimlott. Ben. The Queen. Elizabeth II and the Monarchy, Diamond Jubilee Edition, Harper Press, London, 2002.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-63749839150954866652022-09-21T00:34:00.005-07:002022-09-21T01:02:02.409-07:00The “High Life” in High Society: The Queen’s Iconic Dance in Ghana<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E-_e0DFTTaw" width="320" youtube-src-id="E-_e0DFTTaw"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><div><br /></div><div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal">Queen Elizabeth II’s iconic dance with the President of
Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, on her 1961 tour is one of my favourite scenes in the series“The
Crown”. The real Queen Elizabeth’s dance with a black African leader created
headlines around the world, and she received high praise for changing the
course of history by turning Nkrumah away from linking with the Soviet Union,
and sending a powerful anti-racist message. However, controversy remains,
especially amongst some Africans, about whether the dance really was such an
important event.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Queen wanted to visit Ghana in 1959, seeing it as
her duty to the Commonwealth. However, her pregnancy with Prince Andrew put
paid to that visit. Nkrumah was very upset. He told Lord Charteris that: ‘I put
all my happiness into this tour. Had you told me my mother had just died you
could not have given me a greater shock’.1. It was a different story in 1961.
Macmillan, concerned about Nkrumah’s closeness to the Soviet Union and the
possibility that he might even use her not going to leave the Commonwealth,
advised her to visit Ghana. There were also concerns about anti-British feeling
growing stronger if President Kennedy withdrew financial support for the Volta
Dam, a huge hydro-electric project vital for Ghana’s economy, and the
likelihood of the Soviets funding it. There were even fears that she ‘might
throw in her hand’ if her activities were restricted. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Kwame Nkrumah was the first black African leader
to lead his country to independence, but he also installed a dictatorship, and
single party rule. The Queen’s proposed trip to a dictatorship where there was
much anti-British feeling caused consternation in the government. The Left was
concerned about Nkrumah’s government’s lack of concern for human rights, and
the Right feared that the Queen would be attacked. Winston Churchill even
strongly suggested to Prime Minister Macmillan that he should advise her not to
go, for both these reasons. He wrote that he had ‘the impression that there is
widespread uneasiness both over the physical safety of the Queen and, perhaps
more, because her visit would seem to endorse a regime which has imprisoned hundreds
of opposition members without trial, and which is thoroughly authoritarian in
tendency.’ 2.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Five days before the visit, there were explosions in Ghana’s
capital, Accra, and a statue of Nkrumah was hit. However, even this didn’t put
the Queen off the trip, and doing her duty to the Commonwealth, and she was
growing impatient with the situation. According to some journalists, she had
told Cabinet ‘with some vehemence, that she ‘did not know how she could carry
on if they did not allow her to go’.3. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
also said: ‘How silly I should look if I was scared to visit Ghana, and Khrushchev
went and had a reception’.4.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Akkra, the Queen told Nkrumah that nations of the
Commonwealth could disagree without having to leave. Looking regal and
beautiful in her white gown and tiara, the Queen danced the traditional Ghanian
dance, the ‘high life’ with the President, and pictures of the dance appeared
in newspapers across the world. Some South African journalists were especially
shocked.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Opinions differ about the effect of the dance. According to
architect and historian Nat Nuno Amertiefo the dance didn’t
really change history. People were tiring of Nkrumah’s socialist government
anyway because of the terrible economy, and corruption was so entrenched that
there was even a state-run company set up to collect bribes from foreign
businessmen. Also, the ties with the Soviet Union weren’t that close.5.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, journalist Merriem Amellal Lalmas told <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220910-queen-elizabeth-ii-and-africa-from-an-iconic-dance-in-ghana-to-friendship-with-mandela" target="_blank">France24</a>
that ‘This image seems mundane today but, in this context, it was extremely
avant-garde. It was a white woman dancing with a black man, it was the ruler of
an empire dancing with a subject, as he was then considered, even if he is also
the father of Pan-Africanism and Ghanian independence’.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the Queen returned to England, Prime Minister
Macmillan rang Kennedy about the Volta Dam. He said that: ‘I have risked my
Queen. You must risk your money’. Funding soon came through for the dam, stymieing
the Russians.6.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Arguably, the Queen’s visit did indeed play an important
role in the history of Ghana<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">1. Lord Charteris: Interview quoted in Pimlott, Ben. <i>Queen Elizabeth II and the Monarchy</i>. Harper Collins, 2002. p. 305</p><p class="MsoNormal">2. <span face=""Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;">(2022). Retrieved 21 September 2022, from <a href="https://twitter.com/Ghanaspotlight/status/1380553100403036169." target="_blank">Ghana Stories</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">3. <span face=""Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;">Fairlie, H. (1963). </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;">Sunday Telegraph,</i><span face=""Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;"> quoted in </span>Pimlott, Ben. <i>Queen Elizabeth II and the Monarchy</i>. Harper Collins, 2002. p.308</p><p class="MsoNormal">4. <span face=""Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;">2022). Retrieved 21 September 2022, from </span><a href="https://twitter.com/Ghanaspotlight/status/1380553100403036169." style="font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;" target="_blank">Ghana Stories</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">5. <span face=""Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;">McDonnell, T. (2022). </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;">'The Crown' Says One Dance Changed History. The Truth Isn't So Simple</i><span face=""Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;">. NPR.org. Retrieved 21 September 2022, from <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/01/21/578674702/netflixs-the-crown-says-one-dance-changed-history-the-truth-isn-t-so-simple." target="_blank">Vetting the Crown: Did Queen Elizabeth II's Dance With Ghana's President Really Change History?</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> 6. </o:p><span face=""Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;">(2022). Retrieved 21 September 2022, from </span><a href="https://twitter.com/Ghanaspotlight/status/1380553100403036169." style="font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-indent: -8px;" target="_blank">Ghana Stories</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-19512024840403966672022-09-19T01:08:00.002-07:002022-09-19T01:08:43.684-07:00The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II - BBC News<iframe width="480" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/j8xwqi_9GDs" frameborder="0"></iframe>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-9195017871050480992022-09-19T01:03:00.001-07:002022-09-19T01:03:04.981-07:00Former royal insider reveals final preparations before Queen's funeral |...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/KqXIAV-vUFw" frameborder="0"></iframe>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-83331010329429854862022-09-18T22:26:00.001-07:002022-09-18T22:26:14.220-07:00Theresa May recalls dropping cheese in front of Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/cNOvQQQnAV8" frameborder="0"></iframe>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-14366164899102264362022-09-18T22:23:00.002-07:002022-09-18T22:23:44.336-07:00Vigil of the Queen Elizabeth's 8 Grandchildren as they gather around The Queen’s coffin<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/efTKaDihTto/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/efTKaDihTto" frameborder="0"></iframe>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6364684036684376905.post-64444494957607842152022-09-18T22:19:00.002-07:002022-09-18T22:19:20.351-07:00The Queen’s children hold a Vigil at Westminster Hall<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZneCY7bWxQE/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/ZneCY7bWxQE" frameborder="0"></iframe>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0