Queen lauded for 60 years of regal service

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Chris Radburn / The Associated Press Queen Elizabeth II rededicated herself to service to mark her 60 years on the throne. (CP)

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The Queen's Canadian flag flies on Parliament Hill Monday on her special day. (SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS )

LONDON -- Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II poured in Monday as she marked 60 years on the throne with a message vowing to continue serving the British people.

Dressed in a Tiffany-blue hat and colorful overcoat against the winter cold, she was greeted by well-wishers in the snow-covered town of King's Lynn at an event planned to mark Accession Day, the anniversary of the day she became Queen in 1952.

"I love that the monarchy is above politics and feel that the Queen represents that best of all," said Laura Skrzynski, a longtime admirer of Elizabeth, who joined the crowd of about 150 people applauding the Queen's arrival. "She stands for integrity and respect, and I am inspired by her faith."

Accession Day is usually marked quietly because it also marks the anniversary of the death of Elizabeth's father, King George VI. But it drew extra attention Monday because this year marks the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration. Only Queen Victoria had a longer reign.

Elizabeth said in a message to mark the occasion that she and her husband, Prince Philip, have been "deeply moved" to receive so many kind messages about her Diamond Jubilee.

"I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years," she wrote in a message to the nation.

"In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign."

British Prime Minister David Cameron praised the Queen's "magnificent service," thanking her for guiding with "dignity and quiet authority."

"Always dedicated, always resolute and always respected, she is a source of wisdom and continuity," Cameron said. "All my life, and for the lives of most people in this country, she has always been there for us."

"Over the past 60 years, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has served our country with distinction and dedication and continues to show Canada her generosity and affection," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.

Ottawa has pledged $7.5 million to help fund four months worth of commemorative activities across the country, starting with flag-raising ceremonies in all provincial capitals this morning.

Many praised the Queen for her steadfastness and quiet sense of duty. She and Philip have persevered, refusing to cut back on their official duties until very recently, despite their advancing years, and they have avoided the marital dramas that have buffeted their children.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee will be marked with a series of regional, national and international events throughout 2012.

During the year, members of the royal family -- including Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge -- will fan out across the globe and travel to Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Jamaica and Belize.

Canada will host Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, in May, and will also mark the occasion through smaller local ceremonies in the coming months.

The Queen and Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, will stay closer to home, touring the United Kingdom from March to July.

The 2012 Diamond Jubilee weekend will be held June 2-5, with the main highlight likely to be a huge pageant on the River Thames featuring a 1,000-strong flotilla. A gala concert is also planned.

-- The Canadian / Associated Press

Anti-monarchists

are not celebrating

MONTREAL -- Not everyone is thrilled the federal government is spending millions of dollars to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in a time of deep budget cuts.

As might be predicted, such anti-monarchist sentiment is loudest in Quebec, where at least six MPs have returned their Jubilee medals.

One nationalist group even says it's planning counter-celebrations. That's because, according to Mario Beaulieu, the head of Montreal's Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste, it doesn't care about the Queen's 60 the anniversary on the throne.

"This crazy spending on identity propaganda shows that Quebecers don't have the same priorities as Canadians and don't belong to the same nation," he said Monday. The nationalist group's anti-monarchy campaign will include conferences by historians, an art contest and photo and multimedia displays.

Outside Quebec, the anti-monarchy group Citizens for a Canadian Republic derided what it called a massive royal PR campaign and a state-funded spectacle.

"This is something you'd expect from the personality cult dynasties of North Korea or Syria, not Canada," said Tom Freda, the group's director, in a statement.

Six Quebec MPs -- all four Bloc Québécois members, and at least two New Democrats -- are simply refusing to hand out the Diamond Jubilee medals created for the occasion.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 7, 2012 A7