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1. ‘World’s largest party’
Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant was allegedly the ‘world’s largest outdoor party‘, with more than 1 million people lining the banks of the Thames to watch 1,000 boats sail down the river. It was also the largest royal pageant for the last 350 years and cost a whopping £10.5 million – a fitting tribute to England’s second-longest-reigning monarch!
2. Dorgis, not corgis
You probably know that The Queen is the proud owner of several corgis, but did you know that the royal household is also home to a number of dorgis – a breed that resulted from one of her corgis mating with Princess Margaret’s dachshund. Awww!
3. Tony who?
Tony Blair was the first British Prime Minister to have been born during The Queen’s reign. He was born in early May, 1953 – a month before the Coronation.
4. Ancient history
The origin of the word jubilee is still contested, but either way it means a loud, joyful noise, from which we get the word ‘jubilation’. In Ancient Egypt, a jubilee fell after a pharaoh had ruled for 30 years, and was repeated every three years thereafter. It replaced the old system in which the pharaoh was ritually murdered after 30 years if they were deemed to no longer be up to the job!
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5. Written in the stars?
And finally, did you know that The Queen’s racing colours are a purple body with gold braid, scarlet sleeves and black velvet cap with gold fringe. They were adopted from those used by King Edward VII; one of his most successful horses was called ‘Diamond Jubilee’ – coincidence or fate?
What did you do for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee? Tell us all about your day @Nokia_Connects or in the comments below!