A frogman emerging from the deep to present a bunch of flowers, in the style of a Milk Tray ad, brought a smile to the face of the Queen on Thursday as she participated in the biggest of this year’s Golden Jubilee events to take place outside London.
Leading airman Darren Jones plunged into the sea from a helicopter before making his royal delivery as part of a day of activities, attended by the monarch and Prince Philip, to mark the Jubilee in Portsmouth.
As the Queen and her party watched from the aircraft carrier Ark Royal, 31 RAF Tucano aircraft performed a spectacular flypast spelling out the letters EIIR. It was followed by a mock battle in which members of all three armed forces participated, and a second flypast by the crack flying team the Red Arrows.
The event, which took place under a dramatically lowering sky, was noisy and action-filled with deafening machine gun fire and artillery barrage. To add authenticity to the scenario, award-winning war reporter Kate Adie relayed news of the British victory over fictitious “Whalonian” rebels.
The Queen later paid tribute to members of the armed forces, saying: “I am aware of the contribution the forces, including volunteer reserves, have made to the reputation of this country throughout the world during my reign. Britain is grateful to you.
“I owe a particular debt of gratitude to the members who have given me and my family support,” she continued. “I acknowledge the strains this places on wives, husbands and families.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
