No one can do a lavish ceremony like the british! Since moving to the uk in 1980 i’ve been fascinated with how the british celebrate big events, but there’s nothing the brits like more during a recession than a lavish affair to take their minds off the gloom and doom.
I did actually briefly brave the crowds yesterday in an attempt to bring you pictures of the jubilee pageant flotilla. I gave up at a certain point when i realised i wouldn’t really get a good shot in and that, no doubt, it’ll be very well documented. After three years in the planning over 1000 vessels, including the royal barge, passed under 14 bridges down the thames. In true british fashion, despite the rain, there were over 1 million people standing watching the pageant. I ask you, how amazing is that?
I’m feeling more and more patriotic with every year that passes and i love how the nation comes together when it matters most. There’s a real sense of getting into the spirit of the mood. A lot of us here in london have been subjected to a ton of jubilee paraphernalia, some better done than others. I’ve already written about selfridges’ contribution. While out and about town, i’ve been finding the more ‘stylish’ and ‘sophisticated’ displays. See what you think.
I really liked this diy, slightly vintage, very unique bunting.
Great way of displaying balloons.
A more elegant way of hanging flags. The cotton rich fabric made it stand out in itself.
How lovely is this linen, slightly muted coloured flag? Just divine!
Fabulous vintage flag. I love the way this has been stitched.
Yes, fashion done in a stylish way. I loved this traffic people chiffon, short dress that would not look out of place in any of the celebrations street parties. Only problem was the weather.
How cute are those? Freed of london do it well. The black, blue and white ones could be worn all year round. Very classy.
The fabulous tokyo bike. That’s their contribution and isn’t it just simple and stylish? Check out the handle bar!
And, you don’t have to be british to love the british or the union jack. Take a look at the lovely and über-talented Sibylle’s amazing diy union jack cupboard.
Well, the jubilee celebrations are nearly over and it’s not long until the next big event, the olympics. No doubt the british will do us proud. I can’t quite believe it’s finally upon us. I remember sitting in the south of france in 2005 when it was announced that london had won the bid for the olympics. Rather the wrong place to have been at that time, sorry france!
But for now, a heartfelt:
38 Comments
Yay!! Tank you:-)))
Pleasure sunshine:)
I know I’m not supposed to love the Royal family given that I’m American and on principle we’re supposed to shun all monarchy, but I can’t help it. I love them! The whole jubilee was so spectacular and elegant and extravagant. I must’ve watched a million different programs and shows trying to soak up as much coverage as I could. I’ll never tire of the Union Jack, either!
YOU ARE ALLOWED TO LOVE THE ROYAL FAMILY! I think it’s great you were part of the celebrations…. all the way in Philly!!
I love the bunting and the stitching on those bike handlebars.
Wow, 60 years in the same job! When put that way, it really does seem amazing!
Whether people are royalists or not. I think a woman, thrown into this position at 25/26 and do it so gracefully for 60 years deserves credit!
I cannot help but be in awe of a lady who was thrust onto the throne at such a young age and the grace with which she has taken on and grown into her role. It is nothing short of inspiring.
It’s at times like these that I miss London so keenly. The Jubilee celebrations in my neck of the woods were very subdued in comparison.
Great collection of flags, by the way! I love the muted linen one, the stitched one and that bike is very cool indeed. 🙂 xoxo
I feel the same!!!
Your celebrations didn’t look soo bad:) Hope L is feeling better x
Oh Tina! Thank you for this round-up! I watched the Jubilee Celebrations while trying to wrangle recovering an ottoman (and eventually I gave up on the ottoman), and I was so moved by the beauty and pageantry. It was such a stunning display. Even the rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of the day or of that woman who has always loved her country so deeply. What a milestone and what a celebration.
Cal was playing a deeply American video game while it was on, but I brought him downstairs for the very end when the London Philharmonic sang “God Save the Queen.” He teases me for crying all the time, but those sopping wet people, singing so beautifully and proudly. That was a moment to cherish.
I was in tears most of the weekend…. you are in good company! I really welled up at most of the celebrations… and loved it!
I think crying is good, anything that moves us deeply is healing..
Hi Tina,
Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog- I’m going to take your advice and enable people to leave comments. I’m very new to the blog world- none of my friends have them actually, so great to get some tips like that.
Love the bunting and the vintage flags you have shown in this post. I did the graphic design for the art department in ‘Master and Commander’ – this reminds me of all the wonderful old British graphics from that period.
Feel free to ask anything you like…
Wow, graphics for ‘Master and Commander’… great movie!
Thank you for your email and getting in touch.
a fabulous selection of pictures T.
Who would not dream of dancing in those Jubilee ballerinas?
Oh, Merci Carol:)
Such a gorgeous collection. I love the vintage flag, and oh-my goodness, as a former dancer, those ballet shoes rocked my world. Happy new week xx
Thank you Leah. I think you ex-dancers should visit London and we’ll visit Freed together:) x
hello! i was on the treadmill at the gym (just walking, mind you), and saw the flotilla on the television. very impressive! amazing number of boats. also i loved the ladies in hats. do you wear hats on all special occasions? we americans wear baseball hats, sun hats, fishing hats, but not dress-up hats very much. joy to you!
Ha… I wonder whether many people in the UK were on the treadmill watching the flotilla…. great:)
It took 3 years to organise… amazing no?
Check out hats at Ascots…..http://www.ascot.co.uk/?page=Royal_Ascot&altcss=true
Thanks for sharing all those lovely pictures Tina!! Looks like it was a great celebration – crazy to think that Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne for that long! I love that vintage bunting- someone obviously put a lot of love into making that. I love freed shoes – when I was dancing, all my pointe shoes were from Freed and I cherished them.
All you dancers here…. how cool!
Freed is amazing, it really is. I only buy dance shoes for Salsa, Zumba etc:)
Love your photos, Tina! The muted linen one is my favorite of the bunch. I would proudly hang it in my house. Would that be weird? I don’t have a lick of British blood in me. Though, I would feel like I was properly representing all you lovely ladies.
I also love the bike and black/blue Freed ballet shoes. So cool!
I didn’t get to watch much of the celebrations on television. Now I’m thinking I definitely missed out. I DID watch the interview with Adele and Matt Lauer. That woman is amazing!
London Calling by The Clash came on the car radio today. I came this close to Instagramming it and giving you guys a little shout out. #DiamondJubilee!
Now, onto the Olympics…
No. Hang a Union Jack in your home!!!! yay!!! We might not be blood to you but we are ‘your chosen family’:)
Adele is amazing BUT wish you would have watched a little bit of the great celebrations although I understand why it’s more emotional and interesting for us here in the UK.
But the concert outside Buckingham Palace. It was great!! (although our comedians let us down)
#DiamondJubilee …. so proud!!
Yep, on to the Olympics..) I think you guys will be sick of us soon!!
Although I’m not British myself, I celebrated as well 🙂
Check out my Union Jack cake :)http://confetticookies.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/god-save-queen.html
Your cake is great!!! Yay!!! Thanks for stopping by.
Woohoo! I will definitely have to take part in some British celebration one day – you’ve inspired me 🙂
I could so see you putzing around your house in those patriotic slippers, lol!
All your photos are amazing, I love the shot of the dress best Xx
The British do it sooooo well. You must! I remember being on the Mall for the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and the atmosphere was electric!xx
love those vintage tea towels or whatever they are hanging, much more original than bunting.
Paris was conspicuously lacking in red, white and blue at the weekend. It was really noticeable!
Great photos Tina, I love Sybille’s cabinet too. love the gif that’s such a great idea.
I’m so pleasantly surprised at how much effort everyone went to, makes you proud to be British. So much more interesting, meaningful and deserving than the pointless royal wedding last year.
I loved it all despite the weather. I also needed the break desparately so enjoyed it even more:)
The Royal wedding was done really well but was happy to watch it all on TV.
I’m sad to be back at work today, but reading this post has cheered me up! I really enjoyed the jubilee celebrations, I can’t believe all those people turned up in the rain, and it was lovely to see the chamber choir at the end singing even though they were soaked.
Your photographs are stunning, the pointe shoes bring back memories of ballet classes, I had a red pair, but the union jack ones are fabulous. I love the muted colours of the vintage flag and the linen one, but then the vibrant colours in the first image are beautiful too. x
I know. Most people commented on the poor choir being soaked…. it was touching!
Thank you for your twitter list on BYW2.0… very thoughtful of you xx
Loved watching from afar – these images are fab Tina. And CONGRATS on the 6 months . You are doing great 🙂
See you around,
Ax
Hey Anya…. how’s BYW2.0 for you?
Gosh, I’m dreaming of the sunshine we had in Berlin. It’s pouring with rain here. x
You caught some fab images there love. The Vintage flag is very classy. It cannot have been fun fighting the crowds on pageant day with all that rain though. Good job you’ve got your vespa for a quick getaway x
Ha. Should have gone by Vespa but didn’t… at one stage they closed all bridges so I thought I might be stuck but then found one open…. x
Great photos Tina! I love all the vintage influences and that Tokyo bike is fab!
Well done for braving the rain and at least trying to see some of the celebrations. I ended up watching most of it on the net, after Oxford’s attempts to party failed miserably in the rain – I didn’t get any decent photos of anything Jubilee-esque really.
x
Thought you might appreciate a bit of vintage!!:)
It seems so long ago, doesn’t it and it was only barely a week ago… sorry Oxford wasn’t up to it, but am sure you enjoyed all celebrations online x
[…] line with the jubilee and the olympics this year’s lights seem extraordinarily spectacular. Here I’ve […]
[…] The Diamond Jubilee […]