Queen’s celebrations make Britain smile again

The enthusiasm which greeted Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee celebrations highlights the irreplaceable role that the monarchy plays in uniting British society, the country’s press said yesterday.

Millions of patriotic Britons attended various events during the four-day festivities, providing the country with a much-needed boost as economic storm clouds linger, newspapers said.

Yesterday’s papers ran with front-page headlines quoting the 86-year-old monarch’s special television message, in which she said the jubilee had been a “humbling experience” that had left her with “memories to treasure forever.” However, the centre-right Daily Telegraph insisted it was the British people who should be humble. “The Queen has sacrificed herself for this nation, uncomplainingly, for year upon year,” said its editorial.

“It is only fitting that she should know how much that has meant to her people, and that we have had the chance to offer her our thanks -- and our love,” it added. “Four days that made us feel great about Britain,” ran popular tabloid The Sun as one of its headlines.

AFP