It has been a wonderfully historical week for our nation and others. Here is a collection of Saturday Smiles The Greatest Celebration.
The week began with a state dinner at Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, hosted President Trump as well as other visiting dignitaries and heads of state.
The Queen wore her Burmese Ruby Tiara. It is a truly dazzling tiara that she designed herself back in 1973. She was given 96 rubies from the people of Burma as a wedding gift, Rubies are believed to protect wearers from illness. The tiara was crafted by the House of Garrard. It is made from both gold and silver and features a rose design. She paired the tiara with hugely historic gems, Queen Victoria’s Crown-Ruby earrings, and necklace.
Her Majesty also wore three large diamond brooches. One represented the Coldstream Guards, which is the oldest regular regiment in the British Army. She also wore a badge with an image of her father, King George V, in military uniform.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, also sparkled. Her dress was by Alexander McQueen and she wore a favorite tiara of Princess Diana’, The Lovers Knot. This story covers What Kate Wore as well as the other attendees.
Saturday Smiles The Greatest Celebration
The banquet was held at Buckingham Palace palace’s ballroom. The planning begins a year in advance. The set up takes a full 24 hours.
To truly take in the magic of the room as well as to see the Queen’s tiara spectacularly sparkle this 14-minute video is fantastic.
The Greatest Generation
The gathering of the heads of state and other dignitaries was to mark the 75th Anniversary of D Day. The Allies of World War II began planning the Normandy Invasion two years prior to the landing which occurred on June 6, 1944. It would become the biggest invasion by sea in history. It also marked the crucial turning point in ending this devastating war. The sacrifice for freedom was great as 4,413 men, many just teenagers, lost their lives during this mission.
The veterans who are still living are now in their mid to upper 90’s. Which gives pause to consider if this will be the last major milestone in which they will attend.
Queen Elizabeth is the only remaining living head of state in the world who served in WWII.
She joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service at just 18 and trained as a truck mechanic and driver.
A tribute was held in Portsmouth, England. It was the primary departure point for the Allied troops as they crossed the English Channel to Normandy. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and well worth the hour and a half it takes to view it.
Tears were streaming down my face several times during the ceremony. I sobbed when French President Emmanuel Macron read from a letter sent by a young resistance fighter, Henri Fertet, to his mother before he was executed at the age of 16 years old. Sixteen! “I am going to die for my country. I want France to be free and the French to be happy,” it said.
Directly afterward a series of reenactments occurred. They included various naval and aquatic vessels, a historical fly past, and numerous commemorative parachute drops over the fields of France. Several veterans spent six months training for the event. Including 97-year-old Tom Rice.
We Remember
Many special events (scroll down in the post) were held in both England and in France for the veterans.
Prince Harry truly is his mother’s son.
For those wishing for a recap of the ceremonies and tributes, this is an excellent article that provides numerous photos and links.
More glorious photos of the week’s ceremonies and tributes can be seen HERE.
I am forever grateful for the sacrifices made for our enduring freedom.
God bless America!
Laura
In Case You Missed Last Week’s Posts
Thanks for this recap! I had heard of the state dinner, but didn’t know the detail behind it or everything else that was going on to commemorate D-day.
You do such a wonderful job of reporting to us, about the Royals!
I’m going to go back and watch all the videos.
Have a great weekend. Now, that your bathroom is finished so beautifully, you can take some time off and enjoy.
I wonder how in the world HM can stand, at age 93, the weight of those earrings for hours, not to mention the necklace and tiara. She must have the strongest neck muscles in history. I can’t even stand a heavy necklace!
Thank you Laura for remembering the men and women of D Day. My father left the farm in Kansas to be sent into the European Theatre as a member of the Second Infantry Division 23 rd Regiment M Company of the Army. They were still in the English chanel on DDay and arrived on Omaha Beach DDay +1. He spent the next 11 months in service earning the Bronze Star and being a part of the historic Battle of the Bulge. Before coming home he worked as an interpreter insuring the German prisoners of war were returned home safely. He had learned German as a child. My father was proud of his service and lived a long life . He would have loved the world remembering the service of the Allied Forces on the day the liberation began.
This a fantastic post and touching . We must never forget the sacrifice made for our freedoms. I love our Country.
Nice information on the Royals. Who doesn’t like seeing them? I think Prince Harry is like his mom.
Cindy
This is a wonderful summation of all that went on during a very busy week of remembrance and royal festivities. I was wondering about the broaches HM was wearing and the backstory on the rubies and jewels is fascinating. One thing I’ve been wondering: where is Philip? He has been noticeably absent.
Thank you for paying such wonderful respect and tribute to all who served in WWII and in particular those involved in D-Day.
Ann
I have some serious viewing/reading to do – thanks for making it so easy for us.
Wasn’t this all something so special? We have so many brave to thank and to pray for – God Bless Freedom!
Big hugs. ♥
And God bless the Allied troops! <3 Lovely post and I will watch the whole ceremony. The State Dinner was beautiful and heartfelt and President Trump was eloquent.
Blessings to you and our great country,
Barb <3