The Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II marks a rare historic occasion. It is an unprecedented longest reign in British constitutional history of seventy years and only surpassed by three other monarchs’.

It’s a humbling length of service to Great Britain, and The Commonwealth, and additionally, the Queen is a patron of over six- hundred charities. Yet now, and in her late nineties, she is only finally stepping back from her extensive duties.

It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the landmark occasion and to be thankful to the Queen for leading our country. It’s also a chance to reflect on some of her attributes, which regardless of her social standing, are within her as a human being.

Let’s not forget, that she became Queen at only twenty-five, and without the usual preparations, and with little notice. Nonetheless, she made a promise to serve her country.

Her compassion for people, human rights, and unification are exemplary in the long-standing friendship she enjoyed with Nelson Mandela. Some of my favourite photographs of her depict them laughing and joking.

In her 1992 speech at Guildhall marking the fortieth anniversary of her accession, when members of her family were divorcing and fire destroyed much of her beloved Windsor Castle, her composure and grace still prevailed in her famous summing up of the year: “Annus horribilus”. It was a great example of her humour, and calmness, in spite of her personal challenges.

She has way surpassed the traditional retirement age, and now at ninety-six, our stoic monarch still remains devoted to her people and duties.

I’m certain that like anyone else of her age, she copes with the effects of an aging body, yet even so, she makes little fuss and seldom relies on a walking stick to help her.

Let’s give thanks to our incredible monarch, and draw inspiration from the admirable way in which she continues to serve her people.

Happy Platinum Jubilee!