I recently
read that, during their early courtship, the favourite song of the young Princess Elizabeth was People Will Say We're in Love, from Oklahoma. This was, of course, before the public knew of her romance with Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten: a man for whom the word dashing seems invented for. A film that has vivid early memories for me. So the theme song for this post - more shots from the Jubilee Flotila on Sunday, is the following:
I love the image of a young princess, listening to this song in her bedroom, on a Victrola. Wanting to shout to the world that she has found her Prince Charming. But she can't: not yet. Not until other people decide if he will be suitable, the right choice. But One's heart, even the heart of a future Queen who will put duty to her nation above herself, can't always be that pragmatic. And - as tall and attractive as he is at 90, when I see the images of him in those early years, I can see why. Even my own heart skips a beat or two.
When the rain was pouring down, and the Royal Couple were with their family on the Thames Sunday, I must admit, I was worried for Prince Philip's health. Not the Queen's: even at 86, she strikes me as the sort of person who could stand for a month in a Turkish prison, without batting an eye. But last night, watching her face the end of the concert at Buckingham Palace on TV (and hearing the fireworks outside our window), I felt she was putting on a brave face, gracious and grateful for all the fuss, of course, but patiently waiting until she could be, once again, at her True Love's side.
Get well soon, Dear Duke of Edinburgh.
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