London isn't the only place celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. On Sunday morning, the Queen Vic on H Street NE was the place to watch the 1,000-boat Diamond Jubilee pageant, the most spectacular of the weekend-long celebrations.
While head chef Ian Reeves cooked up the restaurant's traditional Sunday roast and Yorkshire puddings, British expatriates, Anglophiles, and royal family watchers alike watched the BBC's coverage of the soggy flotilla as it sailed from Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge.
Kevin O'Gorman, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England watched the proceedings with his wife Sue; their daughter Cate, a D.C. resident; and Cate's American boyfriend Joe Walsh.
"She's been a constant inspiration, really, as someone with great integrity who has done everything she can for the benefit of her people throughout her reign," O'Gorman said in explaining the outpouring of affection for the 86-year-old monarch.
Elizabeth was crowned on June 2, 1953, and is currently the second-longest reigning British monarch in history, after Queen Victoria (reign 1837-1901). In addition to the United Kingdom, she remains the head of state in 15 countries in the Commonwealth of Nations, including Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
The official celebrations are scheduled to conclude Tuesday with a morning Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral.
