It was a beautiful sunny morning last Monday (4) fit for a Queen and not just any Queen but our own Queen Elizabeth II.

At 7:30am in the centre of George Town, Grand Cayman, the monarch’s 60 year reign gave the whole island many reasons to celebrate and they came out in droves.

The parade was the biggest ever seen and Mrs. Mary Lawrence, head of the CI Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Planning Committee told us there was over 1,000 persons taking part.

“They said it couldn’t be done. There were too many people and it wouldn’t be manageable,” she said. “I told them nonsense. It could and would.”

Mrs. Lawrence was right. It was done and with aplomb. There were even horses in the parade and excited children from most of the schools, including scouts, brownies, guides and the Girl’s Brigade plus many more. I think every youth group was represented.

It was colourful and our youth marched in step with the older more professionally regimented groups like the RCIPS, Cadet Corp, Fire Brigade and HM Prison Officers.

There were plenty of colourful costumes, too.

But it was hot and there were many who had to leave, both watching and in the parade, because of the immense heat. Even starting it so early still was not early enough from that sun!

And when it was over there was food and refreshments to be had from tents behind the George Town library in the car park.

Talking of the library there were wonderful displays to be looked at inside. And it is air conditioned, too.

Photos by Lennon Christian, GIS