Hey there,

I decided on Monday morning that I was going to town to see the Queen.

I figured it was the last time Queen Elizabeth II will come to Sydney and I wanted to be part of it. I’m a Republican (how can a country like Australia have a foreign head of state? It’s nothing personal about the Queen or her family, it is only about needing to have a home grown head of state) so it was a bit of a strange experience sometimes – like singing “God Bless the Queen” but I made sure I sung loudly all the words to “Advance Australia Fair”.

So standing on the steps of the Opera House in the blazing sun at 30 degrees (92F) I was sun burnt for the first time this year watching all the dignitaries arrive – the Opposition Leader, the Prime Minister, the Governer of NSW, the Governer General and then finally the Queen and her Prince.

I realised a few weeks ago that if went to another land that has royalty I would be curious to see their monarchs. Why should I not have the same curiousity about the English monarch? I must confess that Crown Princess Mary is the spark behind my curiousity and interest. I’d liked Princess Dianna because I was a little girl when I watched her marry her Prince. So I understand that old fascination. But the Queen has always been that little bit different for me – I’m not of her generation really.

But there you go, off to town I went on Monday to see the Queen and I really enjoyed myself. I met lovely people in the crowd (maybe 2000 big), the security officers were interesting to watch and talk to, the reviewing of the troops were interesting, I got to see a range of fancy people I wouldn’t normally see and I got to see the Queen.

On top of all that I found out my dad and Pop went to see the Queen in 1973 at the Opera House when she opened it! What a small world it can be.

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Smiles and giggles,

Belinda