A Royal Service

I appreciate that not everyone is in favour of a monarchy and perhaps if we were to set up a new country today we might not have one. However, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has served our nation without choice for the last sixty years. Living her life in public display, serving and working for the good of us all. She is hugely significant in the lives of many British people and members of the Commonwealth. The vast majority of her work is unseen by most of us and few of us would enjoy it for a month, let alone 60 years. She is a fantastic example of true service and dedication in a culture where politicians constantly remind us that a week is a long time. Perhaps more of them should be mindful of her example. Here is the press release from Her Majesty today.

"Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.

In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.

I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.

I send my sincere good wishes to you all.

ELIZABETH R."

Like you, today I awoke in a free country, with a democratically elected Government and a nation that permits free speech. Like every other nation, we have had a mixed history, but our Queen is a legacy that reminds us of our past and inspires our future, repairing our errors and blunders whilst seeking  to build upon the successes and strong relationships that have been forged over the years. Something that I reflected on this morning at 7.15am as I walked my dog through snow covered Richmond Park, the stomping ground of Henry VIII surrounded by fabulous ancient oak trees and attempting to avoid the Royal Stags. I am fortunate enough to be able to take my liberty for granted.

To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, The Royal Mail and Bank of England have worked together to produce a commemorative set of stamps with the Queen as she has appeared on coins and banknotes. The Diamond Jubilee Minature Sheet is available from today and this is the first time that such images have been brought together.