(Shailja Sinha is a journalist. She lives in Overton, a village in Hampshire County near London. She has earlier worked with News24 as anchor and reporter in New Delhi. She did her Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from the University of Delhi.
The Queen Elizabeth II has become the longest reigning monarch in the British history. She has beaten her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years and 216 days until her death in 1901. Almost every newspaper and news channel had this as their leading news here in the United Kingdom. I came to England in 2010 February and I have completed almost 5 years 7 months this week being a British citizen or should I say a 'subject' of the Queen?! Seeing all the celebrations and fascination of the British people for their Queen’s reign, how I wish that could someone celebrate my presence in this country in same zeal please? Jokes apart!
Since morning I’ve been closely watching all the news related to Queen’s reign. I must admit it fills me with great admiration and love for the people of this part of the world. How genuinely they adore their Queen. For the Brits, The Queen is their ultimate Goodwill Ambassador. The Brits love her for many things: She was a good sport when she made an appearance in the mini James Bond 007 Olympic film, everybody just loved her. Her infallible sense of style, her grace, her charm, everything about her is just perfect. Her extraordinary services for her country in her longest reign of Sixty three years, two hundred and twenty eight days, she has worked with twelve Prime Ministers, six Arch Bishops of Canterbury, Nine Cabinet secretaries and she has answered more than three and a half millions of correspondence across the Globe.
Her Majesty has been a bedrock of stability.
Some people also believe that because of her presence, United Kingdom attracts millions of tourists from across the Globe, half of which once her forefathers ruled for centuries.
Though there are a lot many others who think that the hereditary Monarchy system should end with her. They consider it undemocratic which abuses the public money for their lavish lifestyle. Some even said “Queen's long reign was a reason for reforms, not celebration.” And there are a lot many like this.
But even in the midst of all this, the celebrations continued. The love for the Queen is immense and it is well justified as she has given extraordinary service to her country over more than sixty years.
I remember the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Her Majesty The Queen in 2012. There were around one million people who came to see the celebrations in rainy London and the Queen stood there with umbrella in her hands for almost four hours to acknowledge her affection for the people. That one sight of her holding an umbrella and standing there have left a lasting impression on me. I was filled with warmth for her that day.
I still have not been able to catch a glimpse of her in person, but I have seen many videos of her public appearances and she comes across as stern, authoritarian, and no nonsense person. She appears to be responsible and conscientious. People are crazy to get just one glimpse of their Queen and Queen being the Queen is obliging with her queenly gesture and royal style.
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