source: Comparing The Crown’s Accents Vs. The Real Royals, MsMojo, YouTube

The Queen’s death set in motion Operation London Bridge, a collection of plans including arrangements for her funeral, and Operation Unicorn, which set protocols for the Queen’s death occurring in Scotland. The United Kingdom is observing a national mourning period of 10 days. A state funeral service will be held at Westminster Abbey on 19 September 2022 at 11:00 BST, followed by a service later that day at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The Queen will be interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St George’s. The occasion of her state funeral will be a national bank holiday in the UK.

The Queen lay in state in Westminster Hall and the public were able to view the coffin, which was displayed on a catafalque. Throughout this time, the coffin was guarded constantly by the King’s Body Guards and the public was able to file past to pay their respects. In addition to the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign’s Orb and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross were placed on the coffin and the Wanamaker Cross of Westminster has been placed at its head. Both the BBC and ITV were offering a livestream of the Queen lying in state for those who were unable to attend at Westminster Hall.

A very lengthy queue formed to view the lying in state, with long waits. The Queue, as it became known, was a social phenomenon in itself. Many commentators noted the traditional cultural belief that the British are good at queueing. Queueing began 48 hours before the Hall was opened to the public. The queue reached at least 4.6 miles (about 7,6 km) in length, with an 8-hour wait. The Government set up a live tracker showing where the end of the queue was. They also set up over 500 public toilets, water stands, and first aid stations. Venues along the way have also opened their facilities.

The state funeral is set to be held at Westminster Abbey at 11:00 BST on 19 September 2022. This will mark the first time that a monarch’s funeral service is held at Westminster Abbey since George II in 1760, and the first state funeral in Britain since that of Winston Churchill in 1965.

On the day of the funeral, the coffin will be moved from Westminster Hall at 10:44 BST to Westminster Abbey on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy and in keeping with tradition of every state funeral of a monarch since Edward VII, the carriage will be drawn by 142 Royal Navy sailors, as the King and other members of the Royal Family as well as members of the King’s household walk behind.

The coffin will arrive at Westminster Abbey at 10:52 BST. The Dean of Westminster David Hoyle is expected to conduct the service, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth will read lessons at the ceremony. The prayers are to be said by the Archbishop of York, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches Moderator. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will deliver the sermon and the Dean of Westminster will give the blessing. At 11:55 BST, the “Last Post” will sound and the attendees will observe a two-minute silence at the Abbey. During the national two-minute silence, no flights will be landing at or departing from Heathrow. The singing of the National Anthem will mark the end of the ceremony at 12:00 BST. The coffin will then be taken in a procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch on the State Gun Carriage, led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and followed by the King and members of the Royal Family. Big Ben will toll each minute as the procession continues and minute guns will be fired from Hyde Park by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. At Wellington Arch, the coffin will be transferred with a royal salute to the State Hearse for the trip to Windsor.

The Queen’s body and the body of Prince Philip, who died in 2021, will be interred in a private family service in the later evening in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, at St George’s alongside the bodies of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and the ashes of Princess Margaret.

BBC One will be covering the funeral from 08:00 to 17:00.

source: Wikipedia

The UK had a four-day bank holiday weekend at the beginning of June, for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. It marked the Queen’s 70th year as monarch, and started on Thursday 2^nd June and finished on 5^th June, 2022.

As the Queen is the first British monarch to have a Platinum Jubilee, there were lots of events to celebrate her.

Thursday, 2^nd June:

Trooping the Colour

Official celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee started at 10 am on Thursday with Trooping the Colour, the Queen’s official birthday parade. This parade included an RAF fly-past watched by Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

During the parade a Royal Gun Salute was fired. At 1pm, HAC Regiment fired an incredible 124-round gun salute from the Tower: 62 rounds to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation; 62 rounds for Her Majesty’s official birthday.

Once the parade had ended the Royal Procession returned to Buckingham Palace where The Queen came out on the balcony to take a salute, accompanied by The Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards.

Later, Her Majesty was joined by other members of the Royal Family to watch the flypast from 70 RAF aircraft. Prince Louis stole some of his great-grandmother’s thunder as celebrations began for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Waving to crowds and pulling funny faces, the four-year-old prince drew attention while standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Lighting of the beacons.

This evening, over 3,000 beacons were lit across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth to celebrate The Queen’s 70 years of service.

The Principal beacon, involving The Tree of Trees (a 21m high ‘tree’ constructed of 350 smaller trees), was lit in a special ceremony, with The Queen setting off a chain of light in Windsor and The Duke of Cambridge watching the Tree of Trees light up outside Buckingham Palace.

Friday 3 June:

Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral

A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign was held at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined for their first royal event together since leaving the UK two years ago. Meanwhile, the Queen watched the service from Windsor Castle. Her decision to miss the service came after she experienced “discomfort” during Trooping the Colour.

It was later announced she would not attend the Epsom Derby on Saturday – and would instead watch the event on television.

Saturday 4 June:

Derby at Epsom Downs.

Members of the Royal Family attended the Derby at Epsom Downs. The Derby is one of English racing’s five Classics in addition to the Oaks, the 1,000 Guineas, the St Leger, and the 2,000 Guineas. The Derby is run over one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards on Epsom Downs.

Royal visits

Members of the Royal Family continued their Jubilee visits across the UK on Day Three of the celebrations. The Earl and Countess of Wessex were in Northern Ireland, whilst The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took the whole family to Wales.

Platinum Party at the Palace

The celebration saw famous faces from the world of entertainment brought together to perform for a night of musical tributes to celebrate The Queen’s 70-year reign: the return of rock band Queen, Sir Elton John featured in a pre-recorded performance, while other stars include Diana Ross, Sor Rod Steward, Sam Rider, Alicia Keys, Nile Rodgers, Andrea Bocelli, Duran Duran, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow, George Ezra and the UK’s recent Eurovision star Sam Ryder.

However, the Prince of Wales paid a heartfelt tribute to his “mummy”, the Queen, at the Platinum Party at the Palace that drew huge crowds.

“You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, have been there for us, for these 70 years,” Charles said.

He added serving the public was what “gets my mother up in the morning” and thanked her on behalf of the world.

The Duke of Cambridge appeared during the Our Green Planet segment of the show opening by stating, “Good evening, everyone.  It’s so wonderful to be here with you on this incredible night. And great to see Buckingham Palace turned into an IMAX screen!”

After noting how “proud” he was of his father Prince Charles and late grandfather Prince Philip for their conservation work spanning decades, he turned his attention to his grandmother.

“While no one’s grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for nearly a century,” he said.

He then added a shared quality between them: “But like her, I am an optimist.”

22,000 people attended the event including 10,000 allocated in a public ballot and 5,000 tickets for key workers.

Though The Queen did not attend in person, Her Majesty kicked off the party in style, joined by another national treasure, Paddington Bear.

Sunday 5 June:

Big Jubilee Lunch

Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, patron of the Big Lunch, joined Charles at a flagship feast at The Oval cricket ground in south London, while the Earl and Countess of Wessex also meet people creating the ‘Long Table’ down on The Long Walk leading up to Windsor Castle.

Following a nationwide competition, Jemma’s Lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle was chosen to be the official Platinum Jubilee Pudding so people could prepare it for the Platinum weekend.

The Platinum Pudding, Scotch eggs and fruit platters featured on a six-metre felt creation by artist Lucy Sparrow, which was viewed by Charles and Camilla at The Oval. The intricate creations will also be given pride of place in the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace later this year.

The Big Lunch at Windsor attempted to break the world record for the longest dinner table by assembling 488 tables on the Long Walk outside the famous royal residence.

Platinum Jubilee Pageant

A performance finishing in front of Buckingham Palace told the story of the Queen’s reign, featuring military personnel, dancers, puppets of corgis, and a performance by Ed Sheeran. As a surprise, the Queen made an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the finale of the Platinum Jubilee People’s Pageant.

The Pageant brought to life iconic moments from The Queen’s reign as well as showcasing the changing society over the past 70 years.

National treasures and iconic figures from music, film, sport and the arts took part in the Pageant including much-loved celebrity names, alongside military personnel, key workers and volunteers.

Ed Sheeran performed his ballad “Perfect” at a Jubilee Pageant in a special tribute to the Queen and her late husband.

At the finale of the carnival procession through the streets of London on Sunday, Sheeran performed the song as images of the Queen and Prince Philip adorned the giant screens around the stage.

The Gold State Carriage

The Gold State Carriage, led by The Sovereign’s Escort, led the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, embracing the latest in digital technology to evoke the excitement and majesty of her journey to be crowned 70 years ago.

Whilst The Queen didn’t personally travel in the regal Gold State Carriage, there was a fabulous surprise. Original film footage recorded on Coronation Day was used to recreate the magic of that extraordinary occasion.

sources (articles): Guide to the Platinum Jubliee, royal.uk; The Telegraph; What’s happening on the bank holiday weekend?, BBC; Platinum Jubilee: Prince Charles and Prince William to pay tribute to Queen at Jubilee concert, Sky News; Platinum Jubilee concert: Mummy laughs and cries with us all, says Prince Charles, BBC News; Prince William Jokes About the Queen’s Age in Heartwarming Speech at Platinum Jubilee Concert, People; Charles, Camilla and Earl and Countess of Wessex set to lead the nation’s Big Jubilee Lunch to celebrate Queen’s seven-decade reign with a record-breaking 12 million parties expected across Britain, Daily Mail

sources (video and pictures): Queen’s SHOCKING appearance surprises fans at Jubilee, Sunrise, Youtube; What’s happening on the bank holiday weekend? How the first day with the Queen and Royal Family unfolded, SkyNews, Youtube; Queen steals the show at Platinum Jubilee concert with Paddington Bear, 9 News Australia, Youtube; Charles and Camilla Enjoy Tea and Cake at Big Jubilee Lunch, The Royal Family Channel, Youtube

1.She was not known to be coming.

2.Prince Edward was being expected to oversee proceedings.

3.The Elizabeth Line could be opened by only one person.

A második feladatban három olyan mondatot olvashattak, melyek szenvedő szerkezetben hangoztak el a videóban. A feladatotok az, hogy tegyétek szenvedő szerkezetbe a zárójelben lévő igéket. A videó meghallgatásával ellenőrizhetitek megoldásaitokat, de a nyelvtani magyarázat után is megtaláljátok a megoldásokat.

1. At the last minute the plaque ____. (to change)
2. The new cross London line ____ to be opened in 2018. (to mean)
3. The queen ____ her own Oyster card. (to give)
4. The queen ____ how to top it up with a little help from TFL worker Kofi. (to show)

sources (video and picture): Queen makes surprise appearance at Paddington station to formally open Elizabeth Line,ITV News, Youtube

Szenvedő szerkezet:

Mikor kell használni a passzív, azaz a szenvedő szerkezetet az angolban?

1. Nem tudjuk, hogy ki végzi a cselekvést

Ha a cselekvést akarjuk kihangsúlyozni, mert nem ismerjük, hogy ki végzi azt, akkor szenvedő szerkezetet kell használni.

Hundreds of bikes are stolen every year in our district. – Évente több száz biciklit lopnak el a kerületünkben.

Nem tudjuk, ki lopja a bicikliket, csak azt tudjuk, hogy a bringák eltűnnek, tehát magán a cselekvésen van a hangsúly. Cselekvő szerkezetben így hangzana a mondat:

‘Somebody stole my bike yesterday.’ vagy ‘They stole my bike yesterday.’

Ilyen mondatokat, ahol ‘somebody’ lenne az alany nem mondunk általában angolul. Többes szám harmadik személybe (they) pedig azért nem tehetjük, mert nem tudjuk, hogy a ‘they’ kire vonatkozik, így lesz az egész passzív: a tárgy (bike), lesz az alany, az igeidő adott (tegnap történt, tehát Past Simple), ebbe kerül a ‘be’ (was), és a főige (steal) pedig harmadik alakba kerül (stolen).

2.Egyértelmű a cselekvést végző

Akkor is passzív szerkezetet kell használni, ha egyértelmű a cselekvést végző személye.

Cars are repaired in this garage. – Az autókat ebben a műhelyben javítják.

Teljesen egyértelmű, hogy a cselekvést végzők az autószerelők (mechanics), tehát fölösleges ezt külön megemlíteni, a hangsúly megint csak a cselekvésen van.  Cselekvő szerkezetben egyébként így hangzana a mondat (ha belemondanánk, hogy ki tette):

Mechanics repair the cars in this garage.  – Az autószerelők ebben a műhelyben javítják az autókat.

Mivel fölösleges kiemelni, hogy autószerelők végzik a cselekvést, passzív szerkezetbe kerül a mondat.  Rossz visszafordításban megint csak többes szám harmadik személyt használnánk:

They repair cars in this garage. – (Ők) ebben a műhelyben javítják az autókat.

Ez megint nem jó, mert nem tudjuk, hogy a ‘they’ kire vonatkozik. Marad tehát a passzív szerkezet, a tárgy (cars) lesz az alany. Az igeidő adott (általános jelen, tehát Present Simple), ebbe kerül a ‘be’ (are), és a főige (repair) lesz harmadik alakban (repaired).

3.Cselekvő kihangsúlyozása

Furcsa módon akkor is passzív szerkezetet kell használni, ha a normál cselekvő szerkezetnél (ki csinál mit) jobban ki szeretnénk hangsúlyozni a cselekvőt. Ezt tesszük azért, mert nem megszokott, hogy az adott személye csinálta a dolgot, vagy, mert fontosabb, mint maga a cselekvés ténye.

The car is being repaired by my father. – A kocsit az apám javítja éppen.

Sima cselekvő szerkezettel (My father is repairing the car.) csak egy sima megállapítást tennénk, például, ha fel szeretnék sorolni, hogy ki mit csinál éppen az adott pillanatban. Itt azonban azt akarjuk kihangsúlyozni, hogy ő, és nem más javítja a kocsit (és egyébként ez nem megszokott cselekvés tőle).

Most, hogy ezeket tudjuk, nézzük meg, hogyan kell átalakítani cselekvő (aktív) szerkezetben lévő mondatokat passzívvá, azaz szenvedővé, és fordítva!

Jegyezzük meg az aranyszabályokat:

1. az igeidő mindig ugyanaz marad
2. passzív szerkezetben mindig van egy ‘be’, ami ugyanabban az igeidőben van, mint a cselekvő mondat főigéje
3. az aktív mondat főigéje a passzív mondatban 3. alakban szerepel, a megfelelően ragozott ‘be’ után
4. passzív szerkezetben a cselekvést végrehajtót egy ‘by’ prepozíció vezeti be

 keys/megoldások:

Első feladat megoldásai:

1.No one knew she was coming.

2.Prince Edward was being expected to oversee proceedings.

3.There was really only one person who could open the Elizabeth Line.

Második feladat megoldásai:

1.was changed; 2. was meant;3. was given; 4. was shown

(The queen was given her own oyster card and (the queen was) shown how to top it up with a little help from TFL worker Kofi)

“Laughing things off has been an important survival technique,” says royal historian Robert Lacey.

The Queen’s well-developed “sense of the absurd” has been a vital private outlet from such a highly choreographed public life, where she often has to remain straight-faced, he says.

“She obviously takes her job seriously – but at the same time, it doesn’t stop her having a sense of the ridiculous,” Mr Lacey says.

Good mimic

Historian and author Sir Anthony Seldon says: “A defining characteristic is that she doesn’t take herself too seriously. It’s significantly contributed to the success of her reign.”

He says. “She’s able to laugh off misfortune and keep going.”

In private, the Queen is said to be a very good mimic, according to Mr Lacey, a historical consultant on Netflix series The Crown.

She is said to do a particularly good impression of the former Russian leader Boris Yeltsin, says Karen Dolby, author of the Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II.

And she imitates other politicians, clerics and TV characters.

Mr Lacey describes the Queen’s humour as often “self–deprecating and mildly making fun of herself”.

He gives the example of a politician who had the embarrassment of their mobile phone going off during a private conversation with the Queen.

After the phone was switched off, the Queen said: “I hope it wasn’t someone important.”

Dry wit

Ms Dolby particularly likes the story of the Queen accidentally meeting some American tourists during a rainy walk with a protection officer near her home at Balmoral.

Not recognising the wrapped-up figure, the tourists asked if she had ever met the Queen.

“No, but he has,” she replied, pointing to the protection officer beside her.

On another private trip, shopping in Norfolk, a shop assistant told her: “You look just like the Queen.”

To which the Queen is said to have replied: “How reassuring.”

Who dares, Windsor

Humour is also a useful way of breaking the ice and defusing tension when people are nervous around her.

“She’s quick to see when people are not at ease,” Sir Anthony says.

“The ability to be entertained and to see the funny side of life helps to keep her in contact with people.”

The Queen has met many comedians, including Tommy Cooper, who Ms Dolby recounts once asked

Shared relief

The Queen has spent a life under scrutiny, the constant focus of attention at high-profile ceremonies.

In such stressful situations laughter is a hugely important response, according to Audrey Tang, of the British Psychological Society.

“It’s that gesture of shared relief,” she says.

It makes people feel physically better to laugh and release tension, says the psychologist.

It is also a “bonding experience” and the Queen and Prince Philip were said to have shared a great ability to laugh together.

But it can get complicated.

Laughing privately after an event is fine – but everyone must have suffered that terrible feeling of a fit of the giggles at the wrong time.

Such “incongruous emotions” can be a natural and involuntary response to feeling overwhelmed or wanting to relieve the stress of a moment, Dr Tang says.

Ms Dolby describes when the Queen seemed to be fighting the giggles at a formal signing ceremony, after Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien snapped off the top of his pen and then audibly swore.

“She likes the absurd – and when things go wrong, she’s more likely to be amused than annoyed,” Sir Anthony says.

Photographer Chris Young captured the Queen dissolving into giggles when a swarm of bees disrupted a military review at Windsor Castle, in 2003.

“I recognised that it was a human moment,” Mr Young said.

“She was giggling like a little girl.”

In her 1991 Christmas message, the Queen gave her own thoughts.

“Let us not take ourselves too seriously,” she said.

“None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.”

source: BBC News

A cikk elolvasása után döntsd el, hogy a következő állítások igazak (T), hamisak (F), vagy nem volt róluk szó a cikkben (NM).

1. The Queen is rumoured to be an excellent impersonator.
2. According to Mr Lacey the Queen’s humour is often “self-deprecating and mildly mocking herself.”
3. When others are nervous around the Queen, she uses humour to break the ice and ignite tension.
4. Her capacity to be entertained and see the lighter side of life helps her maintain and improve contact with people.”
5. The Queen likes the absurd – and when things go wrong, she’s less likely to be annoyed than amused.

keys/megoldások:

1.T; the Queen is said to be a very good mimic

2.T; Mr Lacey describes the Queen’s humour as often “self-deprecating and mildly making fun of herself”.

3.F; not ignite but defuse tension

4.NM, The ability to be entertained and to see the funny side of life helps to keep her in contact with people.” – maintain contact, improve contact wasn’t mentioned

5.T; she’s more likely to be amused than annoyed

The Queen spends her birthday privately, as a more low-key affair, as it’s mostly reserved for private celebrations with her family.

However, the occasion is marked publicly via gun salutes in central London at midday. There is a 21-gun salute in Windsor Great Park, a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park, and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.

21-gun salutes are an honour reserved for heads of state, stemming from a naval custom. But as Hyde Park is a Royal Park, an extra 20 are fired.

Last year, the Queen’s birthday fell a few days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh. The gun salutes were cancelled and she reportedly shared a quiet lunch with her closest family members at Windsor castle.

Although the Queen has a second ‘official’ state birthday occurring on the second Saturday in June, in 2022, it has been moved to Thursday 2 June to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.

Queen Elizabeth has left Windsor to spend her 96th birthday in Sandringham, a place that has special meaning to her. She will spend her birthday, April 21, staying at Prince Philip’s former home, Wood Farm, on the Sandringham Estate. It’s unclear whether or not other members of her family will be joining her for her birthday.

Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement that the Queen has travelled to Sandringham for a private break.

When he retired in 2017, Philip spent most of his retirement at Wood Farm, a five-bedroom farmhouse cottage. Per Vanity Fair, “Wood Farm, located on a secluded part of Sandringham that looks out over the sea, is where the queen, Philip, and their children have gone to relax for more than 50 years. When the family is there, servants don’t wear the usual royal uniforms and Philip does not stand on ceremony.” It’s where the royals have typically gone for privacy.

Sandringham is perhaps best known as the home where the Windsors spend their Christmases; Queen Elizabeth spent Christmas 2021 there after being medically cleared to travel. The estate has long been the beloved country home of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Due to ongoing mobility issues, the Queen has stepped back from public appearances in recent months. She missed Easter Sunday services at Windsor Castle, and Prince Charles represented her at the traditional Royal Maundy service. Buckingham Palace has previously said that the Queen will continue to carry out “light duties,” and conduct virtual audiences from Windsor Castle.

sources (articles; video): National World; Town and Country; Queen Elizabeth II turns 96 today: GB News Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker reports, GBNews, Youtube

As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service.

As I look ahead with a sense of hope and optimism to the year of my Platinum Jubilee, I am reminded of how much we can be thankful for.  These last seven decades have seen extraordinary progress socially, technologically and culturally that have benefitted us all; and I am confident that the future will offer similar opportunities to us and especially to the younger generations in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth.

I am fortunate to have had the steadfast and loving support of my family.

I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it.  It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign.

This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years.  I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support.  I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.  And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.

And so as I look forward to continuing to serve you with all my heart, I hope this Jubilee will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities – after some difficult times for so many of us – in order to enjoy the celebrations and to reflect on the positive developments in our day-to-day lives that have so happily coincided with my reign.”

issued on 5th February, 2022.

source: The Queen’s message, royal.uk 

On the eve of Accession Day, she hosted a reception for members of the local community and volunteer groups at Sandringham House. Her Majesty was joined by the Sandringham branch of the Women’s Institute, Sandringham Estate pensioners and their families, and representatives from local charities Little Discoverers and West Norfolk Befriending.

Amongst the guests hosted by The Queen was former cookery student, Mrs Angela Wood, who helped create the original recipe for Coronation chicken in 1953!

Poulet Reine Elizabeth, or chicken Queen Elizabeth, as it was originally known was first served to 350 foreign dignitaries during her coronation banquet and has gone on to become a national salad and sandwich-filler staple.

The two women spoke at a reception held in the ballroom of Sandringham House where members of the local community gathered to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne with a cake.

As it was explained the decorated Jubilee cake was placed upside down to her for the press cameras, the monarch sparked laughter when she said: “Oh they can see it. I don’t mind. I don’t matter.”

During the reception the Queen also met representatives from West Norfolk Befriending, a charity which aims to reduce the social isolation experienced by the elderly by matching them with trained volunteer befrienders who visit on a regular basis.

And she spoke to members of Little Discoverers which provides early education for pre-school children with movement difficulties and delayed development.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated across the country during an extended June Bank Holiday.

But 6 February, the date of the Queen’s accession to the throne, is a poignant period for the monarch, as it is the day her father King George VI died at Sandringham in 1952, heralding the start of her now record-breaking reign.

It will also be the Queen’s first jubilee without Prince Philip, who died 10 months ago at the age of 99.

The Duke of Edinburgh also spent much of his retirement on the royal estate, living at Wood Farm, a farmhouse in Wolferton nestled in the far reaches of country retreat, enjoying the sanctuary and privacy it offered.

As well as being the nation’s longest reigning monarch, the Queen is also the longest still-serving sovereign in the world.

sources (article; video): Sky News; Queen hosts reception at Sandringham on eve of Accession Day, The Royal Family Channel, youtube

Queen Elizabeth II wrote a letter to the pensioner residents of a retirement house in Hungary. According to hellovidek.hu, the residents of the retirement house were surprised to receive a letter from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Never before has such an important letter arrived at Dóc, a small village of Southern Hungary, 162 km far from Budapest.

The residents received a royal greeting from Queen Elizabeth written in the summer residence of the British Royal Family. According to delmagyar.hu, the Ápolás Extra Egyesület (Extra Care Association) is operating a family-style residential home in Dóc. Nursing director Lili Bajusz and Norbert Rostás, chairman of the association, have been working in England in nursing homes. They created their own retirement home based on that experience, following the patterns they saw in England.

Apart from individual care, they organise many programs, but their opportunities narrowed during the coronavirus epidemic. As a result, for example, they were watching movies together. They watched The Crown, a series about the life of Elizabeth II.

Many of the residents fancied the beautifully decorated, handwritten letters showed in the series. That resulted in the idea that they would send a letter to the Queen. They sent it in early summer when they celebrated her becoming the longest-sitting monarch on the British throne and grieved for the loss of Prince Philip. Therefore, they not only greeted Elizabeth II, but offered their condolences, too.

The Queen received hundreds of letters every day. However, she only reads the ones that are handwritten and, in some way, unique. Therefore, they chose a special, pinkish, glittering paper. They attached a photo montage of the residents, too.

The reply came from the Balmoral Castle signed by Elizabeth Leeming, the first secretary of the Queen. She conveyed Her Majesty’s thanks for the letter and the photo. Mr Rostás said they had sent their letter addressed to Buckingham Palace in June because then the Queen was there. However, it seems that it was worth sending it after her when she moved to her summer residence.

source: Daily News Hungary

A cikk elolvasása után válaszolj a következő kérdésekre.

1. Who received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II?
2. What experience helped Lili Bajusz and Norbert Rostás to create
   their own retirement home?
3. How did the coronavirus epidemic affect their programmes?
4. What were pensioners doing during the pandemic?
5. What did they really enjoy in the series?
6. Why did they send their letter to the Queen in early summer?
7. What did they write in their letter?
8. Why did they choose a special, pinkish, glittering sheet of paper?
9. Who wrote the reply?
10. Where did the reply come from?

keys/megoldások:
1. the pensioner residents of a retirement house in Hungary;
2. They have been working in England in nursing homes and they followed the patterns they saw there.
3. It narrowed their opportunities to organise many programmes.
4.  They were watching movies together.
5. They fancied the beautifully decorated, handwritten letters showed in the series.
6. Because the Queen celebrated her becoming the longest-sitting monarch on the British throne and grieved for the loss of Prince Philip then.
7. They greeted the Queen as the longest-sitting monarch on the British throne and offered their condolences to her as well.
8. Because the Queen only reads letters that are handwritten and, in some way, unique.
9. Elizabeth Leeming, the first secretary of the Queen
10. It came from the Balmoral Castle because the Queen had moved to her summer residence.

Although Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had acceded to the throne on 6 February, 1952, she was crowned on 2 June, 1953 in Westminster Abbey. This was a historical moment was the first service to be televised.

In 1937, the 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth had watched her father, King George VI, crowned in the elaborate ceremony and 16 years later on 2 June 1953, her own official coronation was to take place.

Coronations have been held at Westminster Abbey for 900 years and The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was to follow suit. But the Coronation of 1953 was ground-breaking in its own right – the first ever to be televised, it was watched by 27 million people in the UK alone and millions more audiences around the world.
Here are the 10 interesting facts:

1. Queen Elizabeth II is the sixth Queen to have been crowned in Westminster Abbey in her own right. The first was Queen Mary I, who was crowned on 1 October, 1553.

2. The Queen’s grandmother, Queen Mary, aged 81 was the first Queen to see a grandchild ascend to the throne. However, she died before the Coronation took place.

3. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were driven from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach – pulled by eight grey gelding horses: Cunningham, Tovey, Noah, Tedder, Eisenhower, Snow White, Tipperary and McCreery.

4. The Coronation Bouquet was made up of white flowers – comprising of orchids and lilies-of-the-valley from England, stephanotis from Scotland, orchids from Wales, and carnations from Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

5. The Queen’s Coronation dress, designed by British Fashion designer Norman Hartnell, was made of white satin and embroidered with the emblems of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in gold and silver thread. Since the Coronation, The Queen has worn the Coronation dress six times including the Opening of Parliament in New Zealand and Australia in 1954.

6. The Coronation service fell into six parts: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture (which includes the crowning), the enthronement and the homage.

7. The recipe for the Anointing Oil contains oils of orange, roses, cinnamon, musk and ambergris. A batch is usually made to last a few Coronations, but in May 1941 a bomb hit the Deanery destroying the phial, so a new batch was made.

8. Prince Charles was the first child to witness his mother’s coronation as Sovereign. Princess Anne did not attend the ceremony as she was considered too young. Prince Charles received a special hand-painted children’s invitation to his mother’s Coronation.

9. Coronation Chicken was invented for the foreign guests who were to be entertained after the Coronation. The food had to be prepared in advance, and Florist Constance Spry proposed a recipe of cold chicken in a curry cream sauce with a well-seasoned dressed salad of rice, green peas and mixed herbs. Constance Spry’s recipe won the approval of the Minister of Works and has since been known as Coronation Chicken.

10. Among the many foreign journalists was Jacqueline Bouvier (later the First Lady of the United States of America, Jackie Kennedy), who was working for the Washington Times-Herald at the time.

source (article and pictures): royal uk; UK in Hungary

Queen Elizabeth Unexpectedly Gets Two New Corgis to Keep Her Company at Windsor Castle

It was thought that the monarch, 94, didn’t want to get any new dogs

Queen Elizabeth is surrounded by corgis once again!

The Queen, 94, has two new corgi pups, bringing her some much-needed quarantine companionship as husband Prince Philip, 99, is in the hospital and the royal family braces itself for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The dogs are a welcome – and lively – addition for the Queen, as she strolls the grounds of Windsor Castle, where she has been living alongside a small, tight-knit number of staffers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Queen has owned corgis and dorgis (a cross with a dachshund) all her adult life, but was down to her last one, Candy, following the death of another dorgi, Vulcan, late last year.

It was thought that she didn’t want to have any more dogs – in part because it risked her tripping over one of the pets and also because she didn’t want to leave any young dogs behind.

News of the new pets – first reported in The Sun on Friday – came as Philip recovers from his heart operation at St. Bartholomew’s hospital in London.

The Queen is well known for her love of corgis, but her last dog of that particular breed, Whisper, died in 2018. She had inherited Whisper in 2016 from Bill Fenwick, a former gamekeeper at Sandringham, after Fenwick’s death. His late wife, Nancy, used to look after the dogs when the Queen was traveling.

One of her most famous dogs, Monty, starred in the short film that played during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games when the monarch joined James Bond star Daniel Craig for a memorable sketch.

source (article; video and pictures): People.com; Pembroke Welsh Corgi – Top 10 Facts, Dogs Wiz, Youtube

A videó megnézése után töltsd ki a következő interaktív kvízt a videóban hallott és látott információk alapján.

For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid, and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on. Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity — despite social distancing.

Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.

In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.

This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world. Today, our front-line services still shine that lamp for us – supported by the amazing achievements of modern science – and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that – even on the darkest nights – there is hope in the new dawn.

Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.  Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race, or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.

The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.

In November, we commemorated another hero – though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War — a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice. The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional.  That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today.  For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.

Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family-members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand. If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers. 

The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas — the spirit of selflessness, love, and above all hope — guide us in the times ahead.

It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.

The origins of the speech

Originally the speech was called the King’s Christmas Message as first it was delivered by King George V Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather in 1932 and was meant to be a one-off event to inaugurate the BBC World Service. The idea for a Royal Christmas speech has come from Sir John Reith, founder of the BBC. King George V addressed the 52 member states in the Commonwealth of Nations with the following words through the radio: “I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all; to men and women so cut off by the snows, the desert, or the sea, that only voices out of the air can reach them, men and women of every race and colour who look to the Crown as the symbol of their unity. To those who are celebrating this day with their children and their grandchildren, to all, to each, I wish a happy Christmas. God bless you.” The broadcast time of 3 pm was chosen so that all parts of the Commonwealth could listen to the broadcast at a convenient and reasonable time. Today, the message is broadcast to New Zealand at 6:50 pm local time, Australia at 7:20 pm local time, and Canada at midday local time, as well as live on the Royals’ YouTube channel. The first Christmas speech, written by the famous writer Rudyard Kipling, was 251 words long and lasted about three minutes. Today’s Christmas speeches are written by Queen Elizabeth II herself and are about 656 words on average, lasting approximately 10 minutes.  

From radio to podcasts, and 3D

The first Christmas speeches were broadcast on the radio from a makeshift studio at Sandringham connected by telephone lines to the Broadcasting House. The broadcast was extremely well received. Over 20 million people listened to it. The King’s slightly gravelly voice was particularly well-suited to his image as the ‘grandfather’ of the empire.

But the Christmas speech didn’t become an annual tradition immediately. There were no Christmas messages in 1936 and 1938. The custom of the yearly Royal Christmas Address was established in 1939 when King George VI wanted to reassure people and boost morale during WWII.

Queen Elizabeth II gave her first Christmas address in 1952 and has given a speech every year since then apart from 1969 when instead of broadcasting a Christmas message she wrote one having felt that she and her family had been in the spotlight too much after the release of the documentary film ‘Royal Family’ in connection with the investiture of the Prince of Wales. The Queen wrote ‘I want you all to know that my good wishes are no less warm and personal because they come to you in a different form.’

Since 1952 the Queen has delivered 66 Christmas Day speeches so far and is going to broadcast her 67^th speech this Christmas. In 1952 when she took over from her father she did so with the following words: “Each Christmas at this time, my beloved father broadcast a message to his people in all parts of the world. Today I am doing this to you who are now my people. My father and my grandfather before him worked all their lives to unite our people ever more closely and to maintain his ideals which were so near to their hearts. I shall strive to carry on their work.” In 1952 the broadcast was shown on television for the first time, but with sound only. In her first Christmas address, the Queen described the British Commonwealth and Empire as an “immense union of nations” which “can be a great power for good – a force which I believe can be of immeasurable benefit to all humanity.”

The first real televised broadcast took place in 1957 as by then, television was part of most homes. The Christmas broadcasts from then on were illustrated with scenes from all over the Commonwealth. In her first televised Christmas broadcast, the young Queen of 31 was wearing a particularly elegant dress and was speaking from her office. A photograph of Prince Charles and Princess Anne, aged 9 and 7, was visible on her desk.

The broadcast was first shown in colour in 1967. 2006 was the first year when people could download the speech as a podcast. In 2012, Sky News produced the Christmas address in 3D. Viewers were able to see the Queen wearing their 3D glasses. On a “behind the scenes” video we can even see the Queen watching herself on the screen with 3D glasses instead of her usual rimless spectacles. To accommodate to the digital world nowadays the broadcast is live on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram as well as on television and the radio.

The Queen’s Christmas speech typically reflects on the year past and the major events that have happened in it. She also mentions her own personal milestones of the year, talks about the real meaning of Christmas, and gives a message of love and peace. The speech addresses global, national, and personal events. The planning of the speech begins months before Christmas as soon as the Queen decides on the theme for the year. It is recorded a few days before Christmas and is embargoed until 3 pm on 25^th December.

Fascinating facts

– Elizabeth II was only 14 years old when she first delivered a speech on the radio to encourage the children of wartime Britain in 1940. The speech is available on YouTube.

– The Christmas message attracts huge crowds of viewers. In 2015, the Queen’s message was the most-watched Christmas Day TV programme in Great Britain, pulling in 7.5 million viewers in total, beating Downton Abbey’s 6.9 million.

– The length of the speeches varies from 4 minutes 52 seconds in 1977 to 20 minutes 29 seconds in 1978. The average length is about 10 minutes.

– The images of the Queen delivering her speech have some characteristics. The same props are there year after year: a Christmas tree and an illuminated lamp to express the hope of the light of Christmas. Christmas cards are displayed in the room and there are framed photographs in the background.

– Apart from the colour of her hair, the Queen has changed remarkably little over the years. She always wears plain dresses in a different colour every year, brighter when she was younger (green, pink, yellow), softer or darker now (all shades of blues, purple or very dark red) with the same type of jewels: a watch, pearl earrings, three strings of a pearl necklace and a different brooch each year.

– During the 1957 broadcast, some viewers complained that their radio transmissions were interrupted by an American police radio frequency and they could hear a police officer saying “Joe, I’m gonna grab a quick coffee.”

– According to mathematicians at UCL, the Queen has said 42,000 words during her Christmas addresses. But only 3,991 of them are distinct. That means that she has used 90% of the words more than once in a Christmas address. The Queen likes to repeat the phrases ‘shining example’ ‘weak and innocent’ and ‘the Commonwealth.’

– The three keywords in all her Christmas messages are “Family, Commonwealth, and Christmas.”