2012 was a year of celebration in the UK, with both the London Olympic Games and Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee taking place in the space of a few months. In order to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne a network of 2,012 beacons were lit across the country, while venues geared up to cater for both royalists and tourists during a weekend of nationwide events.
Shops were able to benefit from the patriotic display of togetherness, as memorabilia virtually flew off the shelves as the public sought to mark the occasion. Supermarkets were also among the winners as shoppers eagerly prepared for street parties.
Today there are few large celebrations to mark the Queen’s actual birthday, these tend to be left until her official birthday which occurs on a Saturday in June. This is to increase the chance of good weather for street parties and celebrations, whilst also allowing workers to get into the festive spirit outside the office.
However, several traditional markers of the day will certainly turn the heads of those in central London. Every year, the 21st of April sees midday gun salutes take place in Hyde Park, Windsor Great Park and at the Tower of London.
Much like the firing of the cannon in the Scottish capital Edinburgh, this has become something of a tourist attraction which will certainly benefit businesses in the surrounding area – particularly if they happen to stock earmuffs!
Her actual birthday is one of the few days in the calendar year on which Queen Elizabeth manages to shelter from the public eye, and the Royal Family is expected to join her for a private celebration this afternoon.
While this may not be a jubilee year, however, getting into the party spirit for Her Majesty by raising a glass is one way of re-igniting some of that patriotic spirit we all felt last year.
A year after the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the steady drop of inflation has almost, if not completely, set many nervous minds at rest, while the employment crisis has greatly abated thanks to a slightly more stable economy. We are by no means out of the woods yet, but there is at least a light at the end of the tunnel. Surely this fact alone makes today worthy of celebration.
Will you be marking Queen Elizabeth’s birthday in any way today, or do you prefer to wait for the official birthday celebrations in June?
