Celebrating Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee! (We were at QE II's home when she became England's longest reigning monarch and have the mug to prove it!)

Ready this morning to share in the Queen's Platinum Anniversary festivities

This weekend England will celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 70th anniversary as the reigning - and longest ruling - monarch of their country. Many events are planned in London, most televised, over the next four days, starting with today's "Trooping the Colours" and concluding with the "Platinum Jubilee Pageant" on Sunday. According  to Variety ("Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee:  How to Watch all the Events"), the BBC, with an exclusive joint agreement with ABC, will air many of the festivities live.

Watching the Trooping the Colours this morning

Of course, we here at BTS, were up this morning, with our Queen Elizabeth-esque brightly colored hat and full pot of tea, to watch the Queen and the rest of the "working Royals" (and we know who that excludes) walk on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to view the traditional military parade. While the Queen looked lovely in a Wedgwood blue and silvery-trimmed coat and hat - and Kate, of course, was standout stunning in a white suit with a white and navy "hatinator" -  it was young Louis who stole the show. The four-year Prince, squirmed and waved and covered his ears when the planes flew by, exhibiting all the charm and irreverence of every little boy everywhere.

At Buckingham Palace on the day QE II surpassed Queen Victoria

At BTS, we are captivated by the pomp and circumstance of the Royals and have had the great fortune to visit many of their palaces in England, including the family home featured today, Buckingham Palace. In fact, my husband, Chris, along with our daughter, Rachel, and son, Matt, were actually at the royal residence in September of 2015, on the date that Queen Elizabeth surpassed Queen Victoria as England's longest reigning monarch. Rachel bought a commemorative mug, which still resides in my china cabinet . . . until she reclaims it.

Souvenir mug touts QE II's new record

This is mine until reclaimed!

We will be alternating hats and jewels during the next few days as we sit back and check in on the rest of the celebrations. 

To Queen Elizabeth II, we wish a very happy Platinum Anniversary. To Prince Louis we share your unbridled exuberance!

A picture of QE II at her visit to same hotel we stayed in Windermere (she, 2013, us, 2018)