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| With my wife Sarah at the forecourt of the Palace 06/06/13 |
On 2nd June 1953 Queen Elizabeth II was crowned after her ascension to the throne the year previously on 6th February 1952. It was a huge honour to be invited to a Royal Garden Party in the week in which Her Majesty was celebrating sixty years since her coronation. The Queen has given a life of service to our country. In the year that I was born, 1977, the nation celebrated her Silver Jubilee. I still remember my grandparent's commemorative mugs proudly displayed in their best cupboard years afterwards and looking at the family photos of street parties in Llanrumney during the summer of '77.
I had been invited to Buckingham Palace for my services to Cardiff as Deputy Lord Mayor. As I walked through the gates of the Palace I was conscious that I was representing my community and all the wonderful people in Llanrumney who daily give their all to make Britain a country that we continue to be proud to live in.
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| Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh enter the Palace garden |
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh led the Royal Family as they greeted and chatted to guests. Both were in fine spirits. It was a humbling experience to see with my own eyes the most photographed person in history. The Queen's dedication to her country and sense of duty are an inspiration to any public servant.
It was a day that my wife and I will never forget. Britain has a wonderful history and as I walked through the Palace I could see in my mind the limousine that once swept through the gates to take our Labour Cardiff South East MP James Callaghan to an audience with the Queen to become the Prime Minister.
The night before he died in 1994 Labour leader John Smith stated in a speech: "The opportunity to serve our country - that is all we ask." The Queen continues to meet the opportunity fate decreed her with total dedication.
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| Buckingham Palace's garden in the summer sunshine. |
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