Cruel & unusual duties

We have some very funny ideas about the best ways to celebrate Her Majesty’s 60 years of service.

We make her spend hours on a barge in the pouring rain.

We make her jump out of a helicopter, showing her knickers. Walk downstairs without benefit of handrail or banister to hold on to – no wonder she was breathing a sigh of relief when she reached level ground.

And we make her stay up well past her bedtime till we are ready for her to pronounce the few words which make the Games officially open.

She certainly sounded tired, maybe even frail, when she finally got to speak her part.