While historic, this year’s celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne comes at an awkward time for the monarch.
It coincides with concerns about her declining health, ongoing campaigns to remove the Queen as head of state, controversy over Prince Andrew’s return to the public eye and calls for the Royal Family to apologize for its role in colonialism and slavery.
Her Golden Jubilee reinforced Britain’s imperial status with visits from colonial dignitaries, an elaborate procession through London and celebratory events across the British Empire.Article content In the midst of the Great Depression, the jubilee attracted some criticism, but was considered a great success overall — both a welcome distraction and reinforcement of Britain’s global reach.
“Jubilee Week” featured the lighting of a symbolic chain of bonfires across Britain, a royal boat trip on the river Thames and thousands of street parties. It demonstrated the capacity of a jubilee to redirect public attention to the stability and legitimacy of the monarchy.Article contentRecent royal jubilees have shifted from an emphasis on tradition to more community-focused events.
As the Queen approaches her 96th birthday and undertakes only “light duties,” it will be difficult to replicate such celebrations with the Platinum Jubilee.The Queen’s personal popularity remains high, but support for the monarchy is waning both in Britain and the Commonwealth. William acknowledged that his tour had “brought into sharper focus questions about the past and the future” but this year’s calendar of events doesn’t suggest a reckoning with Britain’s colonial past, no matter how necessary.
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