London, Feb. 6: The Queen did nothing special today, spending her time in "quiet contemplation" at Sandringham, her Norfolk estate 110 miles north of London.
But today was a special day, being the 65th anniversary - the Sapphire Jubilee - of her accession to the throne. The story has been innumerable times before - how she and Prince Philip, her husband of five years, were on an official trip to Kenya and were spending the night of February 5, 1952, at the Treetops Hotel, nearly 6,500 feet above sea level, with a view of Mount Kenya.
Her father, King George VI, died in his sleep during the night, leading to the memorable entry in the visitor's logbook: "For the first time in the history of the world a young girl climbed into a tree one day a princess and after having what she described as her most thrilling experience she climbed down from the tree the next day a queen - God bless her."
To mark the Sapphire anniversary of the Queen's accession, Buckingham Palace reissued a photograph of the monarch, wearing a diamond and sapphire necklace, taken in 2014 by David Bailey, while the Royal Mail issued a sapphire blue £5 postage stamp.
On behalf of the nation, Theresa May paid tribute to the Queen: "Today's Sapphire Jubilee marks yet another remarkable milestone for our remarkable Queen.
"I know the nation will join with me today in celebrating and giving thanks for the lifetime of service Her Majesty the Queen has given to our country and to the Commonwealth."
The Prime Minister added: "It is a testament to her selfless devotion to the nation that she is not marking becoming the first monarch to reign for 65 years with any special celebration but instead getting on with the job to which she has dedicated her life. She has truly been an inspiration to all of us and I am proud, on behalf of the nation, to offer our humble thanks and congratulations on celebrating this Sapphire Jubilee."
Although the Queen appears to be in reasonably good health, she is 90. So thoughts are inevitably turning to Prince Charles succeeding to the throne, with a number of newspapers poised to give him a hostile reception.
That he is very pro-Indian does not help matters with the far right. However, the chances are India will vote to keep him as the figure head of the Commonwealth.
