70 years ago tomorrow H.M. the Queen was crowned in Westminster Abbey in London and celebrations marking her coronation and 70 years rule will take place throughout the United Kingdom and in Commonwealth countries where she remains as Sovereign and Head of State, including in the Solomon Islands.
On the actual day of the coronation it was wet and it rained heavily in London and many who took part in the coronation parade through London’s famous roads, apart from the marching members of the armed services, were many foreign signatories, including Queen Salote of Tonga who braving the inclement weather riding in an open carriage and became soaking wet. She won the hearts of the British people by disregarding the rain as she smiled and waved to the crowds lining the processional route.
Sir Winston Churchill, Britain’s war time Prime Minister, also took part in the procession riding a horse and he too became soaked and was cheered by the crowds.
At the commencement of the coronation I, with many local neighbours, crowded in front of a tiny television set with a 12 inch screen and the images were in black and white. We were all glued to the television and watched the entire ceremony and the ceremonial procession.
It never occurred to me as a young teenager at that time, I would spend 40 years of my career as a policeman in several countries where the Queen was Sovereign and see those countries on gaining their independence retain the Queen as Head of State, as with the Solomon Islands.
It also never crossed my mind that I would one day meet Her Majesty in a private audience together with His Royal Highness, the late Prince Philip and Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.
That very special occasion took place in February 1974 aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia in Santo in the then New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) where the Royal Party were paying a State Visit, prior to sailing to the Solomon Islands for the next leg of their Pacific tour.
As the commander of the British Police element of the then New Hebrides Constabulary I was assigned to personal security protection duties in Santo for the duration of the Royal visitors stay.
Her Majesty, during my audience, very kindly presented me with a signed photograph of herself and His Royal Highness, the late Prince Philip.
I treasure the photograph in its leather framed case to this day.
Now 70 years on from Coronation Day, and a member of the Royal British Legion (RBL) in Thailand, I retain by links to Her Majesty the Queen who, at 96 years, is still the Patron of the RBL.
Her Majesty the Queen throughout her long reign has given excellent service and devotion to duty, as she promised in 1947, she would.
I wish the Platinum Jubilee celebrations will go well for the Queen and I thank the Solomon Islands Government and the British High Commission in Honiara for officially honouring the historic occasion this week, not forgetting young Nolan Salmon Parainua, a past Queen’s Award winner, who will be responsible for seeing to lighting of beacons in the Solomon Islands.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
