LEFT: The British High Commission in Jamaica and British Airways celebrated Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's birthday, at the British High Commission in New Kingston, on Thursday last. Here (from left), Country Manager, Diane Corrie and British High Commissioner, Jeremy Cresswell and Spain's Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesús Silva enjoy the reception which was sponsored by British Airways. We apologise for the omission of the Queen's title in an earlier publication. - Richard Belto Photo
RIGHT: British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell (second left) welcomes Governor-General The Most Hon. Profesor Kenneth Hall and his wife Mrs. Hall while his companion Dr. Barbara Munske shares the moment. It was the reception to celebrate the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's birthday, held at Trafalgar House, Trafalgar Road, on Thursday, June 14. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

My daahlings, there's nothing like the prospect of a royal outing to titivate the social senses here in Jamaica.

Jamaicans are not only fond royal watchers, being a former colony of Britain and a member of the Commonwealth, but there's many a personal and historical bond that speaks to a common history of sorts, as well as bonds of friendships that tie not just some members of the Jamaica social elite to the British Royals, but equally so among the ranks of some lesser mortals.

Whatever the reasons, the ties that bind are strong, so much so that there are even those who rue the day and hour Jamaica sought and was granted its independence from its colonial masters and by extension - the monarchy! And so it is, that it should come as hardly any surprise that many here consider Britain the Motherland and not Africa, as is often advocated by the vocal minority!

Anyways, my dears, there's no gainsaying the love and admiration many still hold for Her Britannic Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and so on the occasion of the celebration of her birthday, all eyes look to Trafalgar House in New Kingston at the top of Knutsford Boulevard and Trafalgar Road (the official residence of the British High Commissioner here) not only for inspiration, but for the actual celebrations themselves.

Now, since his arrival here as Britain's first citizen, High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell and his German companion, the absolutely lovely Dr. Barbara Munske have been more than fabulous hosts in their execution of their official duties here. In fact, they have proven a most charming couple, with not only the knack for and understanding of the Jamaican way but they have been faultless in service to Queen and country. Their cocktail parties, dinners and receptions are executed in pursuant of these objectives. An invite to any one of these engagements is prized and coveted.

Perogative of Royals

Well my 'daahlings', by now y'all should know that it's the prerogative of royals to commemorate their actual birthdays on any occasion they deem fit. And so, while their actual dates of birth are reserved for private celebrations, for their public and constituents, this is a matter of royal 'Decree.'

And so it is, that whereas lesser mortals usually celebrate their birthdays on the actual day of birth, in the case of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, who was actually born in April, this year the celebrations to mark her birthday were com-memorated in a fabulous garden party and reception at the High Commissioner's official residence.

Well my 'daahlings', it was to these hallowed grounds that guests were bid to put in an appearance to mark the official birthday Her Majesty and it made for one fine outing!

Doves, we are talking red-carpet welcome here from the somewhat off-putting shuttle service from the Guardian Life car park a ways up (areas of the car park get muddy when it is wet), through the multi-security checks and counter checks, up unto being deposited on the actual portals of the residence and unto the red-carpet for the official welcome by a line of High Commission dignitaries. It was all one fabulous act - at sixes and nines as it were, and elegantly so!

And if there were any who missed the sense of occasion that the affair represented, the Jamaica Military Band took care of that with its full battle regalia and music that was all about pomp and circumstance that made it all the fab-to-do it was!

And so it was, that amid the Royal toast, sips and thrills, historical references and context, it made for quite the royal celebration, Her Majesty's subjects and guests doing her duly proud!

Notables

Among the notables spotted out included: The Most Honourable Professor Kenneth Hall, Governor-General of Jamaica and Mrs. Rheima Hall; Head of theArmy JDF Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin and his wife Capt. Tessa Lewin; Chief Justice (retiring) Lensley Wolfe; Solicitor General Michael Hylton; Opposition MP and Spokesman on Security Derrick Smith and his charming wife Carlene Smith; his colleague Opposition Spokesman on Justice MP Delroy Chuck; DCP Mark Shields and his companion Keneea Linton; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Cedric Harper and wife Barbara Harper; French Ambassador HE Francis Hurtut; Spanish Ambassador HE Jesús Silva; German Ambassador HE Volker Schlegel; Cuban Ambassador HE Gisela Garcia and husband Jorge Crespo; Mexican Ambassador HE Leonora Rueda; Ambassador of the Dominican Republic HE Filomena Navarro; Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley and his charming wife Jo Ann Kingsley; Colombian Ambassador HE Dr. Ventura Daz-Meja; Chinese Ambassador HE Chen Jinghua and wife Madam Xiao Linhua; U.S. Embassy Consul General Ed Wehrli and his charming wife Rose Wehrli; Sir Alister and Lady McIntyre; The Hon. Dennis Lalor; Chris Bovell and his fashionable wife Michelle Bovell, their son in-law Peter Kerr-Jarrett and wife the lovely Paula Kerr-Jarrett.

Also out were: Anthony and Jeanne Watson and their son James Watson; Earl Levy and his fab wife Beverly Junor Levy; Joe Matalon and wife, the lovely Bernadette McKinley Morin Matalon; Robert and Carole Issa Cartade; Richard Stewart; the elegant Jennifer Lim; Emile George and wife Dr. Pamela George; Hugh Small; his former wife Olympian Grace Jackson Small (she celebrating her birthday). Also out were George Fatta; Mike and Peggy Fennell; Dr. Oswald Harding and his elegant wife Marigold Harding; Capt. Michael Lyn; former JDF Head Rear Admiral (Ret) Peter Brady and wife; Morin and Verla Semour; the beautiful Joan McDonald; Drs. Jonathan Greenland and wife Rebecca Tortello Greenland; Jonathan Weymss-Gormann and wife Antoinette; Keith Collister, plus several others.