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Never mind the Olympics — get set for the Jubilee

Robert Hardman

Wednesday, 3rd September 2008

Free and open to everyone, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 will eclipse the London Games, says Robert Hardman — an unforgettable tribute to the monarch

Millions gathered on the streets; people of every generation from every background joining in the fun; all the corners of the kingdom united in one thoroughly British occasion... 2012 really is going to see one hell of a party. In fact, buy your Union flags now because there won’t be any left by then.

And hang on to them. Because you might just need them for the follow-on event — the supporting gig otherwise known as the London Olympics. Yes, the Games will produce great scenes and big cheers for the endeavours of ‘Team GB’. But even louder will be the reception for an elderly woman whose performance will be remembered for much longer than any sporting moment at the London Games.

Olympics come and go every four years and, every 50 years or so, they end up in London. Up to now, only one monarch in history has celebrated a Diamond Jubilee. So when the Queen reaches her 60th year on the throne in 2012, the celebrations will be truly momentous. Just as Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897 was an occasion for monumental imperial festivities, so we can expect a similar outpouring of affection for her great-great-granddaughter.

And the occasion will have one insuperable advantage over the Olympics. The Jubilee will be open to everyone and it will cost nothing whereas the Games come with a projected £9.3 billion (or is it £20 billion?) price tag. And you don’t get in without a ticket. In the feverish summer of 2012, the public will not be slow to appreciate the contrast. Politicians, take note.

Right now, as the country still glows in the aftermath of that medal haul in Beijing, the London Games are being touted as some sort of panacea for all Britain’s ills. Politicians are queuing up to declare how 2012 will ‘showcase’ Britain as a ‘vibrant’ land of new model world citizens. Writing in these pages three weeks ago, Liam Byrne, the Minister for Immigration, argued: ‘The London Olympics will be an extraordinary stage on which to set out our national story.’

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Peter Arnold

September 4th, 2008 9:22am

Absolutely. I have happy memories of the Golden Jubilee in 2002. In particular, despite what the country-hating liberal elite think is the prevailing view, the event demonstrated that the vast majority of British people are proud of their country and its history and hold the queen as a symbol of all that is (and was) great in this country. In many ways it is a single delicate flame of hope as this government and the new establishment seeks to erase our identity.

Ray

September 5th, 2008 9:51am

The Jubilee will be a success becuase it will celebrate and gives thanks for the life of a noble Christian lady whose quiet patriotism, dedication to duty and genuine affection for her people stands in absolute contrast to the self-regarding, overhyped, politically-correct posturing of those who wish to use the London Olympics to showcase a vision of Britain that is often totally alien to most ordinary people.

John Haynes

September 5th, 2008 11:18am

Spot on and a real treat for all of us to look forward to and at least a million people in and around the Mall.

Jovan Weismiller

September 19th, 2008 10:38pm

Excellent article, but please do not forget that you share Her Majesty with a number of other countries, including mine, Canada.

God save the Queen and long may she reign over us!

Tim

September 21st, 2008 10:50pm

I think this will be a celebration for all the Commonwealth realms, from little St. Helena to vast Canada. It will be a brilliant celebration of our cultures and our histories.

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