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| http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/ |
Today is the end of the Jubilee celebrations and how better to end it off than to have an afternoon tea party in the company of friends, while watching the celebrations on our TV. It has been quite an emotional afternoon, in the good sense of course. I don't think I've ever seen Queen Elizabeth on TV (and heard the national anthem God Save the Queen) more than these 3 days combined, but this Jubilee weekend has made me grew to love and admire this lady. She is 86 and reminds me so much of my own granny, and her strength is amazing. Imagine being sworn in as queen at the age of 26. (I mean, what was I doing when I was 26?) On Sunday when she and Prince Philip went onboard the Spirit of Chartwell boat to watch the River Pageant, it was cold and windy but they stood throughout the 3 hours event. It was said she was offered some hot tea and a seat, which she both said no to. I love my grandma but I have to say I don't think she could stand 3h in such cold and rainy weather while maintaining a smile and waved constantly at everyone. (By the way I have to make mention I saw the Singapore flag on one of the boats, us being part of the Commonwealth!)
Last night during the concert at Buckingham Palace, she was, for the first time, without the company of Prince Philip who was taken ill and in hospital. Prince Charles made a really good speech and a touching one. She looked really sad without Prince Philip, and everyone felt for her. We were saying she is really strong to maintain her composure because if we were her, we will be crying our eyes out after such a touching speech.
What is great about this Jubilee weekend celebrations is that they strongly encourage everyone in the community to come together to hold street parties and have a "big lunch". This is pretty much the mantra behind Hillsong Church - The Community. So in the past few days, many people across the UK have held street parties and big lunches, coming together to celebrate and that includes my house, thanks to Rebecca. She had planned to invite friends over for an afternoon tea, once again, baking everything from scratch.
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| Yes all these were baked by Rebecca. How amazing. And she had used blue, red and white as much as possible. |
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| Our little guest of the day - 3 months old baby Alia |
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| See that is Marce and Grace waving back eagerly to the Queen haha |
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| Everyone else crowding round our TV watching intently |
As part of this Diamond Jubilee a tribute to the Queen, Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber have co-written a song called Sing which features singers from the UK and the Commonwealth countries, including Prince Harry playing the tambourine hehe.
You brought hope, you brought light
Conquered fear, it wasn't always easy
Stood your ground, kept your faith
Don't you see
Right now the world is listening to what we say
Sing it louder, sing it clearer
Knowing everyone will hear you
Make some noise, find your voice tonight
Sing it stronger, sing together
Make this moment last forever
Old and young
Shouting love tonight
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| In the midst of the noise, baby Aria was nodding off. Such a cute baby! |
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| Ah awake now! Such a chilled out baby. I held her for a long time and she just kept still and looked around. |
Lastly, as part of this Diamond Jubilee year, the royal family have a travel schedule to all Commonwealth countries and Prince William and Kate Middleton will be going to Singapore. (She is the media's darling and in any public appearances, all eyes will be eagerly waiting to see which dress she wears, and then it would be sold out within a few hours.)
K also jokes saying "wah you are a royalist now! Remember your roots!" I don't think I am like what he says I am but I just would like to give respect where respect is due. :) Singapore will always be my home so don't worry too much haha
p.s. A big shoutout to Min! Getting excited for you!!
Comments
yes all baked by Rebecca. She is good with things like that. I can imagine her being a super party caterer. (I helped to make sandwiches though!)
Eton mess is a very English dessert. It is the very first picture you see of the party, top left. The big bowl had meringue, strawberries, blueberries and fresh cream in it. The idea is for it to be as messy as possible haha
A bit more information here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eton_mess
The round pink thingy is called summer pudding, also an English dessert. It's made of bread soaked in berry juice, and inside them are juicy summer berries.
Glad you are still reading my blog! :)