Anniversary party for Queen and Prince Philip
The Queen and Prince Philip’s Diamond Wedding celebrations kick off this evening when the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall host a private dinner party for them, and 20 members of the family, at Clarence House.
The Queen and Prince Philip after 60 years of marriage
Marking 60 years of marriage, the event will undoubtedly provoke the Queen’s children and grandchildren to reassess their own often unhappy experiences. Prince Andrew has already stated publicly that he believes he “let his parents down” with the failure of his own alliance with Sarah Ferguson.
Under normal circumstances, any major party at Clarence House or Highgrove would be organized by Prince Charles’s former factotum, Michael Fawcett. In deference to the Queen, who allegedly dislike Fawcett, the arrangements have been made by the Prince’s own staff.
It’s believed the guest list is unlikely to include Kate Middleton as the occasion is a family one. Kate will not be too downhearted though, as it is being reported that Prince William is set to whisk her off to the Indian Ocean island of Rodrigues for a post-Christmas holiday in the sun. This love match is as strong as ever.
On a sidenote, a glittering bash at The Ritz has had to be postponed until May because of a clash of dates — an oversight at the Palace “forgot” the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda which the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth, and Charles and Camilla, are set to attend.
Recreating the famous honeymoon picture at Broadlands
A service to commemorate the anniversary will take place tomorrow morning at Westminster Abbey. Broadcast by the BBC at 11am (around 6am Eastern) it will feature a reading by William and a specially commissioned poem by the Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, read by Judi Dench.
How long will the service last? I’m hoping I might be able to see their entourage pass to and/or from the Abbey.
By Chloe on November 18th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Yeah, I had a feeling that Kate would not attend this party but hopefully she attends the one in March. I’m very exciting to see the ceremony tomorrow and seeing all the people who will attend. Hopefully The Duchess of York will attend and some of Diana’s family. The Duchess of York really annoyed me when she turned down the invitation to Diana’s memorial. I think sometimes she take things a little too far.
By Claudius on November 18th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
As a mater of interest, where is Kate ? Thinkthis is simlar to Jan/Feb?Mar earlier this year. Look out fo developments
By will on November 18th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
John, you’ve written that the Ritz celebration will be in May, but I thought we’d heard before that it will be in March. Do you know which is correct?
By Evelyn on November 18th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Their 60 years together should be an example to the younger generation of royals everywhere in Europe. Will this be on TV? USA?
By Marilyn on November 18th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
JOhn, When was the last time the Queen was in MAlta? I’m sure great memories.
By Marilyn on November 18th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
According to the Daily Mail, Kate, Prince William and Prince Harry joined Autumn Kelly and Peter Phillips along with Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice at a private members-only Mayfair club this weekend for a party to celebrate Peter Phillips’ birthday.
By Gigi on November 19th, 2007 at 4:38 am
It’s nice to see the first cousins and their significant others enjoying a night out together. I’ve often wondered if they see one another outside of official engagements or Christmas with the Queen and Prince Philip. Now I know.
By Arthur on November 19th, 2007 at 4:49 am
I thought the same thing, Arthur.
The article says the Royal sisters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, arrived arm-in-arm bearing gifts for Peter and that Peter’s sister Zara was in attendance as well. I am very pleased! Over the years it has not seemed to me that the Royal siblings, Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward, were truly close to each other. I am all the more glad to see that their children are forging close relationships with their cousins.
By Gigi on November 19th, 2007 at 5:26 am
Yeah I saw the pictures of them all out for Peter’s birthday. They really to enjoy each others company. Kate looked so good and William looked very happy that night. I also say the pictures of the party at Clarence House, Autumn Kelly was pictured with the members of the royal family for the first time. I think next year we will see Kate in royal photo’s as well. The Queen’s family seem to get bigger by the day.
By Claudius on November 19th, 2007 at 5:27 am
Chloe, the BBC broadcast will last 1 1/2 hours from 11am to 12.30 (6 to 7.30 Eastern — although daylight saving time may have interfered with the 5 hour difference).
The controversial BBC documentary series called A Year With The Queen, has been renamed and re-edited and will now be broadcast (possibly) next week. It has been sold to the States, so you’ll be able to catch it on ABC (I think?). The series brought down the Controller of BBC1 Peter Fincham and the head of the production company that made it, so it should be worth a look.
By John on November 19th, 2007 at 9:30 am
BBC America is not broadcasting the Abbey service.
By Arthur on November 19th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
That’s unfortunate, Arthur. I’m watching it now live and it’s quite amazing.
By John on November 19th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Thanks for pouring salt on an open wound, John.
By Arthur on November 19th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Not intended, Arthur.
You may get it on BBC World — if that’s available to you.
By John on November 19th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Just teasing you, John. I’m primarily interested in seeing the “hat parade.” I’ll bet there are some doozies on display. Enjoy the service.
By Arthur on November 19th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
It’s just finishing. Everyone’s walking out now. Wonderful pictures on our new giant screen.
By John on November 19th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Just saw a brief glimpse of the end of the service. Her Majesty looks very elegant. I wonder if that is a new diamond anniversary brooch she is wearing. I haven’t heard anything about gifts the happy couple exchanged.
By Arthur on November 19th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I can’t tell you how much I hate BBC America. I’m thinking that they would air the service. If it’s a royal funeral, they cover everything. Now I hope that BBC online will re-air the service so I can see the whole thing. I just saw bit of the end. BBC America sucks.
By Claudius on November 19th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
It was also on BBC News 24, Claudius. I don’t know if you get that in the States?
By John on November 19th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
John, the five-hour time difference is correct. We are no longer on Daylight Savings Time here in the U.S. as of November 4.
Sorry I missed the service.
By Melissa on November 19th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Ah, thanks Melissa. Your clocks went back around the same time ours did.
By John on November 19th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
BBC America and I are no longer on cordial terms.
I am so disappointed that they did not air the Diamond Anniversary Service. What were they thinking?! I tried every channel we get but there was no broadcast of this very special and newsworthy service. Like Claudius, I indulged in mean thoughts about BBC America, veering sharply towards the near occasion of sin. I very nearly had a hissy fit as well. Nevertheless, the photos available online today are wonderful! The Queen looks splendid in her dazzling white ensemble and the lovely blue gown she wore to the party at Clarence House was perfect. I also admired the dazzling diamond and ruby brooch the Queen wore on her white ensemble at the service, Arthur. Was this piece of jewelry a gift from the Duke of Edinburgh? John, have we any information on this?
By Gigi on November 19th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Gigi, he did buy her jewellery, but I don’t know what it was. I’m amazed that the BBC didn’t carry this in America. Still you should get the new doc series on Monday.
By John on November 19th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
I am utterly aghast, John, and I have almost surely decided that the BBC will not be invited to our Royal Anecdotes Gala Wedding Tea to enjoy the champagne toasts to celebrate the wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly. How annoying that Garrard is no longer the official Crown Jeweler! When they were serving in this capacity, the press got better information about which Royal gave what sparking gem to their spouses!
If any clever member of our merry group hears anything about what item(s) of jewelry the Duke of Edinburgh gave the Queen to mark their Diamond Anniversary, I would be most grateful to hear any and all of what I am certain will be glittering details. Back to the BBC and their multitude of sins of ommission and commission which have me in a semi-tailspin: Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and if I have not calmed down sufficiently by then, I plan to pretend that our turkey is the BBC and stab it energetically (and, I fear, vindictively) with every skewer as I stuff it! Let us hope that this therapy is helpful as I do not want to abuse the rest of the menu items unless it is absolutely necessary.
By Gigi on November 19th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Do anyone know if BBC Online will put the entire service on the site so you can see it again? I would really like to see the service.
By Claudius on November 19th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Claudius, the BBC now has an iPlayer on its site, BBC.co.uk (software download) so you can catch up with any program from the previous week.
The service should be there.
By John on November 19th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Thank you John for telling me about iplayer but that’s only for UK users but I think BBC Online will make the service viewable soon. They always let you see past services so I hope they will let us see this one. I just hate that I missed it and I can’t see it now.
By Claudius on November 19th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I do have good news, we may not the service as yet but I found it on BBC radio player. So you can listen to the service. I’m sure a video will be posted on BBC Online soon.
By Claudius on November 19th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
LOL, Gigi. Perhaps you should fry the turkey in hot oil and then stab it energetically. If that doesn’t help your mood, I only ask one thing - don’t throw the mashed potatoes around. That would be a waste of my favorite side dish.
By Arthur on November 19th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
That is good news, indeed, Claudius. I may not have to use the turkey as a pin cushion after all. Of course he must be skewered, but not with impunity if the BBC does their duty. I feel better!
By Gigi on November 19th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Gigi and Claudius, A matter of interest. I understand Kate wasn’t out with Royal Cousins. Photograph was resurrected from late last month. Kate is away (I know not where) and the next few weeks will be interesting
By will on November 19th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Yes she was with them that night, she is back in London. Will, it’s not a old picture.
By Claudius on November 19th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Thank you, Claudius, for the helpful support information.
Arthur, I never fry the turkey, I roast it because that is the way the women in my family have prepared the Thanksgiving turkey for generations and I am, at heart, a traditionalist!
I promise not to abuse the mashed potatoes, as they are my favorite dish also, along with the jellied cranberry sauce. I fear you would be shocked if you knew the quantities of those two items that I can and do ingest at Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, I throw caution to the winds. Now if I could only throw calories to the winds, too! 
By Gigi on November 19th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I just saw some still photos of the Royal family arriving for the Queen and Prince Philip’s Anniversary Service. Although the Queen looks elegant, as always, the real knockout is Princess Eugenie. This young woman is a real stunner and will have the guys falling all over themselves in a couple of years. Eugenie looks tres chic in her fashionable beret which, hopefully, heralds the end of tiny hats with hen harrier feathers.
By Arthur on November 20th, 2007 at 3:24 am
I haven’t seen pictures of Princess Eugenie at the service yet, but did see pictures of Zara Phillips in a beret. She looked beautiful.
By Melissa on November 20th, 2007 at 10:20 am
…tiny hats with hen harrier feathers.
Arthur, you must be the real Sherlock Holmes.
By John on November 20th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Yes, everyone looked splendid. William read confidently from a well-chosen text. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, made a particularly appropriate homily, and Judi Dench recited the Poet Laureate in her wonderful Shakespearean voice.
The only awkward moment was when the Archbishop spoke about the endurance of the marriage and how beneficial to the country it’s been, Camilla stared hard at her shoes, while Charles pretended to read his Order of Service. Good to see the young Princes listening intently though
By John on November 20th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I hope very much that both Prince William and Prince Harry emulate the Queen and NOT Charles in the way they choose to value their relationships. I am so glad that the service in the Abbey was so lovely.
By Gigi on November 20th, 2007 at 4:15 pm