The day the sky fell in at Buckingham Palace (but we still had super sarnies in Lizzie's garden)
We editors are sometimes privileged to take part in some amazing events, and a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace yesterday was a memorable example.
It was an excuse to put on one's best tucker and tie, and on this occasion I was even able to share the day with my wife, Ruth.
Yes, there were a few long queues, but for us this added fun to a very different, exciting day.
We met some fascinating people, Lords, Ladies and all, as well as some great 'normal' folk like us; we compared posh frock and hats; we sipped tea on the Queen's lawn and ate cucumber sandwiches.
We even caught a good glimpse of The Queen in dazzling turquoise and hubbie Prince Phillip, which was itself interesting.
And then the heavens opened...
To start with, it was just a steady drizzle. But then it really RAINED and HAILED, with thunder and lightening straight overhead...
We just about managed to squeeze under a packed marquee, but even here the downpour quickly started to seep in...
Before we knew it, there was a mini-lake in the marquee where we stood, with ladies in high heels up to their ankles...
But it was worse outside, with shoes lost, people stumbling and many, many specially bought silk frocks flattened and see-through against drenched bodies...
Despite this, many guests - there were around 3,000 - still managed to have fun...
Yes, it was very wet! But this was a collective soaking, with even the Queen having to be evacuated from her Royal but dripping tent.
We were all damp, but we had all been treated to super sarnies in Lizzie's gracious garden.
I'm no huge Royalist, but what a tremendous, fun-packed day. Treasured memories.
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Steve Dyson - Blog from the Editor on recent issues and events.
If you are no great Royalist, you should be ashamed of yourself for attending such an event.
The queen and her ilk are milking your readers and every taxpayer in the country and she is at the head of a system which built on advantage for birth rite rather than ability and achievement.
The monarchy epitomises what's wrong with this country.
How can we call our selves democratic when we the public don't even elect our head of state?
You bowing and scraping at her feet simply strengthens that.
Thanks for your point. Perhaps I should have clarified that while I'm no big Royalist nor am I a revolutionary! Regardless of its historical origins and wrongs, I personally believe the monarchy in 2009 has a moral and 'binding together' role to play in a changing British society.
Thanks for your response Mr D.
But I can't agree with you regarding the nation's supposed benefits of having a monarchy.
Without turning the issue into a personal attack on any individual royal, it's simply uncivilised to have unelected heads of state.
How can we push democracy on other parts of the world when we don't even have it here.
The first and greatest step in improving our parliamentary system would be to abolish the monarchy and reform the 'Lords' into an elected second chamber.
Only them can we really call ourselves democratic.
Probably only went for the sandwiches, looks like those terrible pictures were taken on a Nokia N97 too!
Biggins: Fair comments; we just have to agree to disagree. But for your interest, buy this week's New Statesman... a special edition all about removing the monarchy. You'll enjoy it (though I got bored with its middle class approach). Funny, isn't it, that it's the middle and upp-middle classes that seem to want no monarchy, whereas the people they claim this will help - the working classes or whatever this is termed these days - overwhelming want the monarchy to continue. A bit condescending, don't you think?
Hi snapper: no, all on the original N95; pretty good, eh? And the sarnies were pretty good, thanks!
Thanks for the tip off on New Statesman - I'll hunt one down.
Not sure where you get your facts for the working class supporting the monarchy argument.
I'm working class to the core and would happily lead the revolution!
Incidentally, love the blog by the way, and how you take the time to respond to your readers.
Cheers.
Must have a lot of time on your hands Steve? Monarchy visits, sandwich eating and blogging? who doing all the work?............
Looks to me like you had wayyyyyy too many. Macdonalds after was it?
No, I'm afraid that particular picture was taken BEFORE the sarnies, Sid . . .