When was Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne and why?

Princess Elizabeth, then aged 25, was in Kenya on a royal tour when she learned of her father George VI’s death in 1952.

The King, who was ill with lung cancer and other ailments, had ignored doctors’ advice to see his daughter off from London Airport on January 31.

Elizabeth and her husband Philip planned to travel to Australia after a week in Kenya.

But on the morning of February 6, the King was found dead from a coronary thrombosis in his bed at Sandringham in Norfolk. Philip broke the news to his wife.

The Princess, eldest of the monarch’s two daughters and first in line to the throne, flew back to London as Queen.

She formally proclaimed her accession at a meeting of the Accession Council – a ceremonial body made up of privy councillors, peers and senior officials – at St James’s Palace on February 8.

Queen Elizabeth II said: “By the sudden death of my dear father I am called to assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty.

“My heart is too full for me to say more to you today than I shall always work, as my father did throughout his reign, to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples, spread as they are all the world over.”

How is Accession Day celebrated and what happens in a royal gun salute?

February 6 is celebrated every year with church services and official functions across the country.

Flags are flown and soldiers fire gun salutes in London’s Green Park and the Tower of London, and also at Woolwich, Colchester, Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Cardiff, Belfast, York, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Dover Castle.

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fires a 41-gun salute in Green Park every year on Accession Day.

The 41-gun royal gun salute in Green Park takes place at midday.

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in full dress uniform ride out from Wellington Barracks and parade past Buckingham Palace.

Six First World War era 13-pounder guns are pulled across the park by teams of six horses each.

The guns are detached and soldiers fire blanks a total of 41 times at ten second intervals, sending up puffs of white smoke.

source: The Sun

Events of the Queen’s life. Can you match the events and the dates?

Key

1. d.

2. a.

3. b.

4. e.

5.  c.

QUEEN (in archival footage): Television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day. My own family often gather round to watch television, as they are at this moment. And that is how I imagine you now.

Six decades on, the presenter has evolved somewhat, as has the technology she described. Back then, who could have imagined that people would one day be watching this on laptops and mobile phones, as some of you are today?

But I’m also struck by something that hasn’t changed – that whatever the technology, many of you will be watching this at home.

We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love – of shared stories and memories – which is perhaps why, at this time of year, so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home. For many, the idea of home reaches beyond a physical building, to a home town or city.

This Christmas, I think of London and Manchester, whose powerful identities shone through over the past 12 months, in the face of appalling attacks. In Manchester, those targeted included children who had gone to see their favourite singer.

A few days after the bombing, I had the privilege of meeting some of the young survivors and their parents.

I described that hospital visit as a privilege because the patients I met were an example to us all, showing extraordinary bravery and resilience. Indeed, many of those who survived the attack came together just days later for a benefit concert. It was a powerful reclaiming of the ground and of the city those young people call home.

We expect our homes to be a place of safety – sanctuary, even – which makes it all the more shocking when the comfort they provide is shattered. A few weeks ago, the Prince of Wales visited the Caribbean in the aftermath of hurricanes that destroyed entire communities.

And here, in London, who can forget the sheer awfulness of the Grenfell Tower fire? Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who died and those who lost so much, and we are indebted to members of the emergency services who risked their own lives this past year, saving others.

Many of them, of course, will not be at home today, because they are working to protect us. Reflecting on these events makes me grateful for the blessings of home and family and, in particular, for 70 years of marriage. I don’t know that anyone had invented the term ‘platinum’ for a 70th wedding anniversary. When I was born, you weren’t expected to be around that long.

Even Prince Philip has decided it’s time to slow down a little, having, as he economically put it, done his bit. But I know his support and unique sense of humour will remain as strong as ever as we enjoy spending time this Christmas with our family, and look forward to welcoming new members into it next year.

In 2018, I will open my home to a different type of family, the leaders of the 52 nations of the Commonwealth, as they gather in the UK for a summit.

The Commonwealth has an inspiring way of bringing people together, be it through the Commonwealth Games, which begin in a few months’ time on Australia’s Gold Coast, or through bodies like the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir – a reminder of how truly vibrant this international family is.

Today, we celebrate Christmas, which, itself, is sometimes described as a festival of the home. Families travel long distances to be together.

Volunteersand charities, as well as many churches, arrange meals for the homeless and those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day. We remember the birth of Jesus Christ, whose only sanctuary was a stable in Bethlehem. He knew rejection, hardship and persecution.

And, yet, it is Jesus Christ’s generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad. Whatever your own experience is this year, wherever and however you are watching, I wish you a peaceful and very happy Christmas.

Gay Hussar – the left’s London canteen – goes up for sale

The legendary London "canteen" of left-leaning politicians and journalists, the Gay Hussar in Greek Street, Soho, is up for sale. The 60-year-old restaurant, which specialises in Hungarian cuisine, famously enjoyed the custom of figures such as Aneurin Bevan, Michael Foot, George Brown, Ian Mikardo, Barbara Castle, Roy Hattersley and Charles Clarke.

As befits its past as a hotbed of political plotting and gossip, where fact, rumour and fiction has so often been exchanged at lunch or dinner over its Hungarian cuisine, news that the business was up for sale first spread quickly through Twitter. Mark Seddon, a former editor of the Tribune, whose journalists were early settlers at the restaurant, tweeted: "Can’t believe Gay Hussar restaurant to be auctioned. How about a ‘diners co-op’?"

The Gay Hussar was established in 1953 by Victor Sassie, son of a Swiss father and Welsh mother. He trained for the restaurant trade partly in Hungary and opened his own establishment, the Budapest, in London in 1939. During the second world war, he worked for British military intelligence, and one Robert Maxwell after it. Sassie, who died in 1999, sold The Gay Hussar to the Restaurant Partnership in 1988. The current owners, Corus Hotels, and agents Christie + Co were caught on the hop by the leak on Friday about the proposed sale of its leasehold with a guide price of £500,000. Bids close on 5 December.

Simon Chaplin, Christie + Co director, said the restaurant, which has 12 permanent full-time staff, had a special place in the political history of London. "Whilst its infamous days as the venue where various political machinations took place may be behind it, it is still today one of London’s most unusual and popular restaurants. With this, and its unique history, we anticipate a great deal of interest."

source: The Guardian

gay – itt vidám, jókedvű (régi jelentése a szónak)
to be up for sale – eladó
to enjoy the custom of – valaki vendége, vásárlója egy étteremnek, boltnak
as befits – ahogy illik (kicsit régies)
hotbed – melegágy
to plot – összeesküvést sző
gossip – pletyka
rumour – mende-monda
fiction – kitaláció
to auction – árverezni
‘diners co-op’ – vacsorázók szövetkezete
to establish – megalapítani
establishment – létesítmény
military intelligence – katonai hírszerzés
current – jelenlegi
to be caught on the hop – váratlanul éri valami
leak – szivárgás (itt információé)
guide price – irányár
bid – ajánlat
permanent – állandó
infamous – hírhedt
machination – fondorlat
to anticipate – számít valamire, vár valamire
interest – érdeklődés

TRUE or FALSE?

1. The Gay Hussar was established by people who had no Hungarian origins whatsoever.

2. The restaurant is still popular with left-wing politicians and journalists.

3. The Gay Hussar will be auctioned due to the death of the original owner.

4. The proposed sale came to light earlier than the owners intended.

5. The restaurant is not expected to fetch a good price at the auction due to its unique history.

answers: 1-T 2-F 3-F 4-T 5-F