Queen Elizabeth became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee on February 6, marking her 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and the Commonwealth. To celebrate such a milestone, a series of events and initiatives were prepared to be held during a four U.K. bank holiday weekend, from June 2 to June 5.
The four days of celebrations would include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years of service. The other members of the royal family, including Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who stepped back from their senior royal roles in January 2020, are expected to reunite and join the revelries.
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Just a few days away from the royal holidays, a familiar face recently stepped forward and expressed his “disappointment” when Queen Elizabeth knighted him as it reportedly did not quite live up to his expectations. Keep on reading to know more details.
Sir David Jason Shared His ‘Disappointment’ When Queen Elizabeth Knighted Him
Express U.K. reported Sir David Jason joined the likes of Sir Mo Farah, Dame Kelly Holmes, and Dame Helen Mirren for a theatrical performance at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday Night, marking Queen Elizabeth’s monumental milestone.
A cast of 1,300 performers and 500 horses whisked the viewers through the royal history, with Queen Elizabeth being the guest of honor. Sir David Jason talked about what Her Majesty means to him:
“[The Queen] is the sort of standard of what Great Britain stands for. To take on the responsibility that was handed to her on her father’s death was tremendous. How many people that age do you know that could do anywhere near what was expected of her. She showed such metal...a wonderful woman.”
Though Sir David Jason had not performed in front of Queen Elizabeth before, he had met the British monarch already. The mother of Prince Charles knighted the actor-comedian in 2005 for his services to acting and comedy.
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However, talking to Gold’s James Bassam in 2021, Sir David Jason said he was proud to be honored with the accolade. However, he also explained why it was something of a “disappointment” to him, stating:
“It was a very, very special and unbelievable day because not many people get that close to the Royal Family, and the Queen, particularly. She’s the sort of person that you see all the time on television and in newspapers and all of this, and then to actually see Her Majesty, it’s really quite exciting and moving.”
Sir David Jason went on to say:
"The only slight disappointment that I felt about the whole thing because the expectancy is so high when you’ve read about things like the knights of the round table, Sir Galahad, King Arthur, and his knights, that you often read about someone being knighted and you expect that when she places the sword upon your shoulders, she says, 'You go on your knees as David Jason and you arise as Sir David Jason."
The actor-comedian also shared:
"And the sword is placed on either of your shoulders, 'Arise, Sir David Jason.' And that is the moment of extreme pleasure and the biggest and best thing that has ever happened to you in your entire life. But unfortunately, I was expecting this and I’m there on one knee, pausing as the Queen takes her sword up and goes ‘dum dum’. 'Right, there you are.' And I was, 'Where’s the bit about ‘Arise Sir David’ and all that?', and that didn’t come, so I was disappointed!"
Though his expectations of knighthood were not being met, Sir David Jason has remained a supporter of Queen Elizabeth and the Royal family. In March, he even joined the Green Canopy initiative of Her Majesty, which aims to increase and protect the native tree cover and provide a sustainable way to celebrate the monarch.
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People were encouraged to create this “special gift” for Queen Elizabeth to mark her 70 years on the throne, and Sir David Jason, who lives in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, planted a cherry tree in Aylesbury. At the time, he told The Bucks Herald:
“As a long-term local resident, it was a pleasure to be invited to plant a tree in Bucks to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year. I hope that ‘my’ cherry tree will flourish and be enjoyed by future generations. All over the country, tree planting is being championed, and the best thing about this initiative is that everybody can take part; it is that inclusivity that has such great strength. By planting a tree and creating a lasting legacy, we will be able to remember for generations the Queen’s extraordinary reign.”
Queen Elizabeth Told Meghan Markle Her Part-Time Royal Wish Is ‘Absurd’?
Meanwhile, a royal biographer claimed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal exit left Queen Elizabeth deeply hurt. Andrew Morton, in his book titled The Queen, wrote:
“In 2019, Harry told the Queen that he and Meghan wanted to step back as senior royals, raise funds privately, and yet still serve the monarchy, albeit in a limited capacity. The Queen’s initial reaction was that it was almost impossible to be half in and half out of the Royal Family; it was akin to being ‘slightly’ pregnant.”
To recall, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry decided to quit being senior working royals two years ago and moved to the United States after.
Despite her reservations and “many months of conservations and more recent discussions,” Queen Elizabeth issued an official statement “supporting” the decision of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The Buckingham Palace statement read:
“I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life. I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth, and beyond, and [I] am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family. It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”
Queen Elizabeth has yet to respond to reports about her calling Meghan Markle’s wish to become a part-time royal “as absurd as being slightly pregnant.” So, devoted followers of the British monarch should take all these unverified claims lightly until everything is proven true and correct.
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Stay tuned to EpicStream for the latest news and updates about Queen Elizabeth!
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