Congratulations and jubilations to HM the Queen on her ninetieth birthday on 21 April. Another ten years and she will become eligible for a letter of recognition which she normally sends out to other centenarians! We, Asians from the East African countries, should be particularly grateful to her, for it was during her rule, that we found shelter in this country after being expelled by the ruthless ruler like Idi Amin from Uganda.
On this special occasion let us wish her well. After witnessing many tragedies in her personal life during her reign, what with the untimely death of her daughter-in-law and her sister, Her Majesty had some comfort when she participated in the wedding of her grandson and celebrated her diamond jubilee on the throne a few years back.
Having spoken with Her Majesty a couple of times at Royal Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace which I had the privilege to attend at the invitation of the Lord Chamberlain, I must say that I was struck by the grace and dignity with which she carried herself. I also had the privilege of speaking with Princess Margaret, the Queen’s sister, when she made a whistle stop visit to my place of work at the then Department of Education and Science.
Messages of goodwill are pouring in from the world leaders. Let us too join them and congratulate the Queen and wish her a long and happy life. Our heartiest congratulations to you ma’am!
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
