May Diary, Page 1 Flowers, Arts and Opera

The Queen commences a month long Golden Jubilee tour of Britain this month. On 30th April The Queen received loyal addresses from both Houses of Her Parliament assembled in the historic Westminster Hall and addressed the members. Both the Lord Chancellor, speaking on behalf of the House of Lords and the Speaker of the House of Commons dwelt on the achievements of The Queen's long reign and in particular on the 54 nation Commonwealth of which she is Head. In her address The Queen dwelt at length upon her ideals of service and the constant of change that she has seen during 50 years as Head of State. She closed with a promise: "I would like above all to declare my resolve to continue, with the support of my family, to serve the people of this great nation of ours to the best of my ability through the changing times ahead." The Queen announced a new Honour, The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award, to be given for outstanding voluntary service to communities.

On 1st May The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, undertakes a month long tour of Britain, visiting communities and attending celebratory functions. The Queen will visit Cornwall and the West Country, Northumbria, Middle England and parts of Greater London during May, living and working out of the Royal Train.

Among the many events that The Queen and Her Consort will attend are the opening of the Royal Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Cornwall, (1st May); the Royal Windsor Horse Show with its spectacular Jubilee pageant All The Queen's Horses, (see below), on 16/17 and 18th May; and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, (see below), on 20th May, where she will doubtless visit the 'Healing Garden' exhibited this year by her son the Prince of Wales, who is hoping to win an RHS Gold with his Garden design.

On 21st May The Queen opens the new Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace, a showplace for fine art and artifacts from the priceless Royal Collection, and attend a celebration at the Royal Academy on 22nd May. The Queen spends the last part of the month visiting Scottish communities, attending Scottish celebratory functions and hosting events at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. She returns to London for the official Golden Jubilee weekend of 1st - 4th June and the celebratory Jubilee Concerts that she will host in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. I shall be commenting on aspects of The Queen's royal progress though Her Realm and the interesting places she visits with the Duke of Edinburgh thoughout the month.

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