The Queen’s long goodbye

Asked at the start of the Golden Jubilee as to which one of the many events he was most looking forward to, the Queen’s husband answered in typical Philip fashion with two words: ‘the end’. There’ll have been times during the run-up to the Platinum weekend when those around the Queen may well have shared these sentiments as they anticipated what could have gone awry. There were plenty of potential clouds on the jubilee horizon. One by one, they were dispersed. Covid-19’s silver lining revealed itself when Prince Andrew tested positive. He had to recover rather than attempt to kickstart his rehabilitation on his mother’s coat tails.

The greatest concern of the Jubilee organisers will have been the Queen’s health. Though frail and more absent than present, she has played a blinder. Her ability to surprise and pull something fresh out of the hat – or in her case a marmalade sandwich out of a handbag – remains undimmed.