Queens Jubilee          - 11/6/2012      <--Prev : Next-->

In spite of the fact that I am a third generation Zimbabwean, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee had me and many others of British descent, in tears.

And how wonderful to have one's child speak about "mummy" in such a special way.

The pomp and ceremony was magical, the true blue British singing their hearts out in the pouring rain, no fair weather subjects there, that is for sure.

I remember clearly as a child in 1953, my mum sitting, her English Bull Dog with his head on her lap, crying uncontrollably when King George died. How wonderful to be British and have such devotion for one's monarchy.

As kids we would sing "God Save the Queen" lustily at the movies and that ancient ballad still fills me with such memories and pride, as much as does our own national anthem.

Although we are now truly Zimbabweans, we followed the British Royal family from afar, as much as our local tabloids would allow, (but that was before the internet of course !!) Even if it is politically incorrect we still follow them unashamedly.

Some folk follow TV stars and soapie celebrities, we followed the British Royals. My cousin and I were even named after the two royal princesses !!

Prior to Independence we were well and truly enmeshed with the lives of the Royals. The Queen herself came to open our Centenary Park in Bulawayo during the Rhodes Centenary Exhibition, and as school children we always celebrated the Queen's Birthday Parades at Queens Sports Club, loyally waving our miniature Union Jacks.

How does she do it? Retain her impeccable calm, shake hands with 4000 people each year, stand still for hours on end without showing the vaguest discomfort and attend 400 functions every year ?

"A bastion of stability and reassurance in a confused and rapidly changing society ' said Cecil Beaton.

Like Joan Collins there is one question I would love to ask if I ever have the exquisite pleasure of meeting her - "Ma'am, what's in the handbag?"

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