The word jubilee comes from the Latin word for “joyful.” A jubilee can be a big celebration for a big event or a smaller, more personal celebration.
The Queen’s jubilee is a special anniversary where the Queen celebrates how long she has been on the throne. People have celebrations and put-up bunting and Union Jacks. Bunting is a type of fabric that is often used for decoration. A Union Jack is a flag used to represent the United Kingdom. The Union Jack is usually flown on special occasions. There are usually street parties too. The last jubilee was in 2012, when the Queen celebrated 60 years on the throne. This year, the Queen has her platinum jubilee, which means she has been the Queen for 70 years! That is a very long time, and it will be celebrated with some extra special festivities. It reminds me of Mexican Papel Picado.
As the head of state of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II had several important duties. She represents the country on official and state occasions, such as meeting dignitaries from other countries and hosting state visits. A dignitary is given a lot of respect because of their high rank in an organization or profession. Dignitaries are often important people with powerful positions, such as politicians and religious leaders. She also gives royal assent to bills passed by parliament and is the supreme governor of the Church of England. In addition to her ceremonial duties, the Queen also carries out many charitable and patronages. A patron helps to support a person, group, organization, or cause.
In many cases, patrons provide financial support. For example, a patron might give money to an artist to help them buy supplies or a charity to help them with their work. Patrons can also provide other kinds of support, such as promoting an artist’s work or helping to raise awareness for a cause. She is a patron of more than 600 organizations and regularly attends events and meetings related to her work. Through her career, she helps raise awareness of important issues and supports causes close to her heart. As Queen, Elizabeth II is a symbol of the United Kingdom, and her dedication to her role helps uphold the values and traditions of the country.
Although for many of us, Queen Elizabeth the 2nd seems like a distant figure, she is an important person to learn about because she is the longest-reigning monarch, and she has been an important symbol of stability in a world that often seems chaotic and uncertain learning about people from different countries is a good way for us to feel more connected to the global community. I had never been to Europe, but when I was six years old, I had the honor of dancing for the Queen at the Capitol while performing for Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico, a memorable experience I will never forget.
By Diane Revilla
