Queen Elizabeth II Celebrates Platinum Jubilee Amidst Sad Memories

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, celebrated her Platinum Jubilee over the weekend, marking 70 years on the throne.

However, amidst the celebrations, the Queen is also remembering the death anniversaries of her father and sister, which occurred within days of the Jubilee festivities.

The Queen's accession to the throne was triggered by the death of her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952.

In a statement, she wrote, “It is a day that, even after 70 years, I still remember as much for the death of my father, King George VI, as for the start of my reign.”

Just three days later, on February 9, 2002, the Queen's only sibling, Princess Margaret, passed away at the age of 71 in London.

The Countess of Snowdon had suffered several strokes prior to the one that ultimately took her life.

She was severely injured after scalding her feet in a hot bath just a year earlier, which impaired her mobility, and she often required walking aids.

Princess Margaret was an active and high-profile member of the royal family, with a reputation for drinking and partying, as well as a turbulent romantic life.

However, on the anniversary of her death, Lady Anne Glenconner, one of the Princess's long-time friends, described a different side of her character and relationship with her sister.

She remembered, “I sat with Princess Margaret, my oldest friend, a couple of days before she died.

It feels like yesterday, but it is now twenty years ago.”

The Queen has been using her late husband's favourite walking stick in recent months due to a bad back causing her pain.

Her choice of stick, which has a curved handle carved from iron, was used several times by the Duke of Edinburgh over the years.

It is usually kept in a pot by the front door of the farmhouse of the Sandringham Estate, where the Duke spent his retirement.

During a recent stay at Wood Farm, Her Majesty borrowed the stick to help her get to events.

On Saturday, the Queen was seen using it during a reception at Sandringham House by local groups where she was presented with a cake to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

She joked, “I think I might just put a knife in it, see if it works.

Somebody else can do the rest of it.”

Broadcaster Giles Brandreth recognized the stick instantly as it was always kept in a pot by the front door.

He said, “It was the Duke's stick, and it is very touching that the Queen has started using it.”

Prince Philip was last pictured using the same walking stick during a visit to a nearby nature reserve after abdominal surgery in 2013 to get around the muddy bog.

Before that, it is believed the last time was in 2003 aged 76 after surgery to remove torn cartilage from her right knee.

The Queen has shown that even amidst her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, she is still coping with the sadness evoked by the death anniversaries of her close family members.

Despite this, she continues to carry out her royal duties with grace and dignity, and the public continues to admire her for her unwavering commitment to her role as the head of the British monarchy.