On Sunday,
thousands tuned in to view the commemorative Songs of Praise event, "Tribute to a Queen - The Big Sing" at the Royal Albert Hall, in celebration of Her
Majesty the Queen as she made history and became the longest-reigning monarch.
And so of course our very own Colin Edwards, dedicated royalist, talented
photographer, and published Candy Jar author, was just one in the crowds at the London venue ready
to enjoy the music and join the festivities in celebration of a national figurehead, and a family, to whom his life's work has been dedicated from the young age of twelve.
Colin, who
has met The Queen over 150 times throughout the years and is a regular invitee
to Royal garden parties, was among countless celebrity faces at the event,
which included appearances from musicians such as Gustav Holst and Gary Barlow,
as well as special guests Lesley Garrett, Alexandra Armstrong and a choir of
five thousand!
Colin’s book
A Personal Portrait of the Royal Family
features an extensive and unique collection of photographs of the Royal Family,
including intimate and never-before-seen photographs of the Queen Mother, Queen
Elizabeth II and the late Princess Diana.
On his
tireless support and photography of the now longest-reigning Queen Elizabeth
II, Colin says, “I get such a buzz from it. I’m always on ‘cloud nine’ after
meeting Her Majesty. It is the anticipation of this euphoria which keeps me
going, no matter how long I have to wait or how cold it gets. Everyone is there
for the same reason.”
The show was
spectacular and, in true British fashion, culminated in a roaring performance
of “God Save The Queen” by all of the choirs involved and the entire congregation.
What a fitting way to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s record-breaking reign
of 23,226 days, 16 hours and approximately 30 minutes.
Colin’s book A
Personal Portrait of the Royal Family is available from both Amazon and the
Candy Jar website, and you can catch up on "Tribute to a Queen - The Big Sing" here.
