Last week the Japanese Imperial Household announced that Emperor Akihito would attend The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London as her guest. (This was the subject of a report in London's Daily Telegraph)
His Imperial Majesty was, with King Albert II of Belgium, the only other current head of state in attendance at the Queen Coronation in 1953 representing their respective nations.
For this review I thought I would leave the subject of Commonwealth Realm monarchies and look at some of the other success stories of constitutional monarchy in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan has had a long history of monarchy. It has an unbroken line – meaning the dynasty has never changed – going back well over a millennium. The pre-war Japanese government gave the figure of 2,600 years of the dynasty, whereas 1,600 years would be, based on modern research, a more appropriate time period.
.
[Emperor Akihito delivers the Speech from the Throne to open the Japanese Diet in 2010.]
Ruoff notes the irony that for many leftists in Japan, the Emperors involvement in politics had been an aberration of the militarist era and the pre-war Japanese constitution, so it was right and proper that the Imperial Throne have no involvement in the post-war government of Japan except as a symbol.
[Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko exchanging gifts with the Queen and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace during their 2007 visit to London.]
Is one of your names Elizabeth, Elisabeth or one of the many variations? Do you know a Betty, a Liz, a Lisa or a Bella? Are you fascinated by the meaning of names and the magic they contain?
MY NAME IS ELIZABETH will take you on a journey through the centuries to meet monarchs, matriarchs, mistresses, screen goddesses, bestselling authors, Olympians, Paralympians, pioneers and trailblazers, all of whom carry the name Elizabeth or one of its variations.
Today the “Elizabeth” group of names continue to be among the world’s most popular. They connect families, friends and cultures across the globe and celebrate the timeless power of love, vision, dedication and beauty.
MY NAME IS ELIZABETHfeatures profiles of over 200 “Elizabeths”, with colour illustrations and photographs throughout. This perfect gift will be available for purchase from May 2012 for AUD$24.95 including postage within Australia. Just click here
To register your interest, email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Stay in touch with the latest “Elizabeth” happenings via our Facebook page.
“The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.” - Elizabeth Taylor
“You are the storyteller of your own life, and you can create your own legend, or not.” - Isabel Allende
Written by ROSS STEELE, AM, Officier de la Légion d’Honneur. Ross has written over thirty books on French language and culture. He has a special interest in the history of names. and KEITH HOWES, an English writer living in Australia, equally at home with popular culture and the natural world.
The second and third parts of this three-part series will be broadcast on Sundays 20 and 27 May at 7.30pm and the following Mondays at 12.30pm.
Congratulations to the ABC for showing this. We trust that the ABC, as the national broadcaster, will be giving us a live transmission of the great events in London in June, including the procession on the river.
To commemorate this significant occasion, the NSW Government is pleased to partner with ClubsNSW to encourage clubs across the state to support the Diamond Jubilee by hosting a celebratory lunch or an alternative activity appropriate for, and meaningful to, their community.
This significant occasion provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years as Monarch. By hosting a Diamond Jubilee themed event, local clubs can provide an environment for their community to gather with their neighbours and acknowledge the contributions The Queen has made as the Head of the Commonwealth over the past 60 years.
Official celebrations to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee in NSW will be held around The Queen’s Birthday long weekend (9 – 11 June, 2012). Clubs are encouraged to celebrate in a way that is meaningful to their community, and may include hosting a Queen’s Hat Parade, Tea Party, Royal Trivia session or a “Feast Fit for a Queen.” No matter how big or small, every celebration will contribute to the state-wide program of events.
For event ideas and resources to assist your club in planning an event, please visit our Resources section on the right of the NSW Diamond Jubilee webpage - click here.
Some 550 horses and 1,000 dancers and musicians from around the world have performed at the Royal Equestrian Show at Windsor over four nights for the Queen, a well-known horse lover.
Among the stars at the event, staged inside the private grounds of Windsor Castle, were actre...ss Helen Mirren, singer Susan Boyle and Australian entertainer Rolf Harris.
[To view the Telegraph's video report, click here.]
Celebrating more than 250 Commonwealth and state visits the Queen has made during her reign, the show travelled across the globe, with performances from a Maori troupe from New Zealand to Middle Eastern stunt riders.
On Sunday 13 May 2012 The Queen attended the finale accompanied by Prince Philip and other members of the royal family including the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The President and the Committee invite you and guests to
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Lunch
Monday 4 June 2012
Cello’s Restaurant, 4th Floor, Castlereagh Inn,
Masonic Club, 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
(Between Market and Park Streets)
Time 12:00 for 12:30 Lunch. Dress lounge suit.
The Society is pleased to have as our guest speaker Pauline Thomas A.Mus.A. to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Official Queen’s Birthday.She will speak on Royal and ABC major events with personal experiences and comments entitled: “Television tales - being there”
Miss Pauline Thomas was with the ABC for nearly 40 years in television productions. In that time she was involved with many major events including Royal visits. In the context of the telecast Apollo 11 Moon landing 1969, Expo70 in Japan 1970 and Munich Olympics 1972 - The opening of the Sydney Opera House by Her Majesty The Queen 1973, the opening of the Federal Parliament by Her Majesty The Queen 1974 to Buckingham Palace Garden Parties 1960 and 1983.
THE COUNCIL OF UNITED COMMONWEALTH SOCIETIES OF TASMANIA
(of which ACM in Tasmania is a member) is extended
Luncheon to mark the Birthday of
HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN.
[ The Queen of Australia in Hobart speaking to Tasmanian admirers 1970 ]
The Hon. P.G. Underwood, AC, Governor of Tasmania and Mrs Underwood
will be in attendance.
VENUE: Lenah Valley RSLA Club.
188 Lenah Valley Road, 7008.
DATE: Thursday 7th June 2012. 12 noon for 12:30pm.
DRESSS: Lounge suit or uniform.
COST: $28 per person for two course meal.
Drinks available from the bar.
RSVP to CUCS 21 Constance Ave, Glenorchy Tas. 7010. By 30th May 2012.
Inquiries: Tasmanian Convenor ACM – Reg Watson 0409 975 587.
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
ACM would like to invite you to a spectacular evening of fun, dance and song, arranged by Master Events (UK), to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. This will be held at the Gold Coast’s Royal Pines Resort, on Saturday, June 9, 2012.
Royal Pines Resort
ACM’s fourth Executive Director, Jai Martinkovits (unlike the republicans, we have only had three others – Tony Abbott, Kerry Jones and Thomas Flynn) has been asked to address the function. If you have not already had the chance, this will be a perfect opportunity to meet Jai, whilst enjoying what will no doubt be a most memorable evening.
As this function is not being arranged by ACM, please RSVP directly with Master Events (UK).
The NSW Mounted Police Unit is on its way to London to make final preparations for their performance at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher, and NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione joined the Commander of Major Events and Incident Group Commander, Assistant Commissioner Alan Clarke, to farewell the officers at Sydney International Airport today (Tuesday 1 May 2012).
The pageant, 'The World Comes To Windsor', will take place at Windsor Castle on 10-13 May and will feature 550 horses from across the world to represent countries the Queen has visited on more than 250 State visits.
The horses will be accompanied by more than 1000 human performers including riders, dancers and musicians from 16 countries, including Canada, India, Russia, Chile and Australia.
The public event will take place over the first three evenings and the Queen will attend the final show on Sunday 13 May 2012, with guest artists and narrators joining the performers for the night.
Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the performance at the pageant will be another proud achievement for the Mounted Police Unit.
"NSW mounted officers have been supporting and protecting the people of New South Wales for 187 years," the Commissioner said.
