A life of crowning achievements
Look up the word platinum and definitions such as ‘rare’, ‘precious’ and ‘highly unreactive’ abound. How fitting, then, for HM The Queen to be celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, 70 years on the throne. Rare she certainly is. Following a turnover of four kings in 50 years, she is setting her own precedent with the longest reign in British history. Precious, indisputably. She is a national treasure in a way that Dame Judi Dench or Sir David Attenborough could only dream of. And highly unreactive? She has remained staunchly tight-lipped during events which would have provoked many to throw their orb and sceptre right out of the pram. Such attributes have stemmed from an unwavering commitment to her duty, which was first pledged to the nation in her Speech of Dedication to the Commonwealth, given as Princess Elizabeth on her 21st birthday: “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.”
Seventy-five years on, her vow is”.
