The “Roaring Twenties” some might say... a time of boom and bust. Prohibition, Al Capone, Great Gatsby’s “Jazz Age” thrust. The birth of Broadway, Flapper girls, “Black Bottom” all the rage... And Henry Ford was paying out the first real living wage.

Back in Blighty... Logie Baird invented television. “The Only Way Is Essex” took years of fine precision! The failure of the General Strike had left our nation tense and wary. When unto us was born... Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. The “babes” of 1926 were smokin’ HOT you know. Not only HRH ... we GOT Marilyn Monroe! They built the folks to last back then... with lots still “on the go”! Just look at David Attenborough... VIVA Fidel CASTRO! Hugh Hefner hasn’t “lost it” and he was born that year. He’s had to take his wife to school but wanted to be here!

But let us not digress ...I’ve got to prove my worth. I’m standing here to honour a far more REGAL birth! So back to April ‘26 ...over ninety years ago... A little bit of history... just in case you didn’t know. The lady who “defends our faith” was born for lesser things. SHE was rocketed to greatness... by the frailty of kings.

Grandad George (V) was on the throne ... his sons were ten a penny. But the one on whom the crown must fall... wasn’t having any! YES! Uncle Edward... Prince of Wales... both debonair and charming... Loved a YANKEE! TWICE divorced!! “Contentious!” and “ALARMING!”

He gave it up for LOVE... and sailed away to France Younger brother BERTIE didn’t stand a chance... Bumbling, tumbling, nervous... he found it hard to speak. BUT what does the BIBLE tell us... happens to the meek?? He inherited the EARTH... WELL the EMPIRE any rate... And his daughter became our QUEEN... by a curious twist of fate.

Born in London, schooled at HOME ... with sister... Margaret Rose. Dogs and Horses were their playmates through those war years...I suppose. At just thirteen she first espied her glorious Prince of Greece... And married him at 21... with the world once more at peace.

He isn’t only Greek... he’s also a Great DANE! BUT IF he’d only been a CORGI... she’d have loved him... just the same. Would a CANINE have been easier ...whatever the breed? She could have shouted “Heel Boy!” and kept him on a lead! He’s led her quite a “dog’s life” with his blunders and his gaffes. But his bark’s worse than his bite and he’s “fetched” a lot of laughs.

She was only 25 when... She learned the king was dead And by the age of 27...the crown was on her head. By Coronation Day she was mum to Charles and Anne Which only goes to show...things rarely go to plan. The “swinging sixties” landed... and she had a couple more... But they’d found out what was causing it by 1964!! They’d got themselves a telly... so they knew it wasn’t that! It was “something in the water” aboard the royal yacht!

The 70’s brought Jubilee and the 80’s Royal weddings. Divorces swiftly followed on...but no Tudor Style beheadings. In 1982 a STALKER... jumped the palace wall And 1992 was the most HORRIBLE YEAR of all! Until that is... in ‘97 when the world fell to its feet. The tragic scenes in Paris...bringing chill to August heat. Elton wrote a song ... and everybody cried... We all remember where we were the night Diana died. The country was in mourning and “The Firm” under attack. But dignified as ever... she never answered back.

Only Five years later... amid massive celebration We saw Golden Jubilee rekindle public adoration. But all that glisters is not GOLD ...as within weeks of each other After 50 years of giving...she lost her sister and her mother.

Fast forward ten more years and she was boxing clever Her sixty years of service proving “Diamonds ARE forever”! By this glittering jubilation things looked sparkly and bright... Will had married Kate... and put everything to right! Multinational touring ...fireworks after dark... And gorgeous little Kylie wore her hot pants to the Park! Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney and even Peter Kay Played “Party at the Palace” whilst the BEACONS burned away!

London 2012: gold medal highlight of that year With affection for her Majesty cranking up an extra gear! “Dropping into” the opening ceremony she set the watching world aflame... The “you tube” clip went viral... only adding to her fame! Her “jump” into the stadium as she “fell” for Double 07 (007) Catapulted all her subjects from their armchairs into heaven! Totally unruffled ...not shaken... NOT stirred... To a bygone generation such a thing would seem absurd. I can’t imagine Queen Victoria would have been amused But a date with Daniel Craig?!!! ...ONE must surely be excused! The only other time she was star of stage and screen... Dame Mirren nicked her headscarf and called herself “THE QUEEN”.

So here we are... bang up to date ... it’s four score years and ten Since the child was born... who learned to serve o’er Mountain, Loch and Glen. Totally devoted she’s kept her faith and kept her head. Dutiful and selfless... by example she has led. Her life’s played out before us ...and we honour her today. We thank God for her service ...as she walks the “narrow way”. And when it comes to records her reign is now the longest. No more may Queen Victoria be regarded as the strongest. For 64 years and 125 days she’s ruled over this land She has governed our church and fronted “the brand”. Mother! Grandmother! GREAT Grandma to FIVE! She’s simply the MOST famous woman alive! The head on our stamps has her rivals all licked... If we’d VOTED for Queen she’s the one we’d have picked! TRUE STAR of the best monarchy on the planet She’s tough as old boots and she’s stronger than granite. “God save our Gracious Queen LONG LIVE our noble Queen” At FULL ninety years old... she’s lost none of her charm Please join me in saying “Happy Birthday Ma’am!”

JULIE MARIE TOMKINS 2016

Performed 11th June 2016 St Giles Church Bramhope