Minute - 40th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's Accession [1992-02-05]

Minute - 40th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's Accession [1992-02-05]

Royal Events

Prime Minister

Minute from Sir Robin Butler to John Major regarding a congratulatory message to Queen Elizabeth II to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession.

Robin Butler (Secretary to the Cabinet)

PREM 19/4412

1992-02-05

Jason Loch

Page 1

CONFIDENTIAL

Ref. A092/340
PRIME MINISTER

Cabinet 6 February 1992

40th Anniversary of The Queen's Accession to the Throne

You will wish to remind the Cabinet that 6 February 1992 is the 40th anniversary of The Queen's Accession to the Throne. In inviting them to send Her Majesty their good wishes on this occasion you may wish to draw on the following points:

2.  The Queen has indicated that this should be regarded as an ordinary anniversary and not a Jubilee. She has not, therefore, sought to promote extensive public celebrations nor encouraged the Government to organise any State occasion.

3.  Nevertheless, the 40th anniversary is a special event which the Government and Parliament should mark in an appropriate way. (Soundings indicate that a Humble Address would not be favoured by the Palace.)

4.  You therefore intend to send Her Majesty the Cabinet's warmest good wishes, and to refer to this at Prime Minister's Questions on 6 February in the following terms:

"At the Cabinet meeting today Her Majesty's Ministers agreed that I should convey to Her Majesty our warmest good wishes on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Her Accession to the Throne. This was in recognition of the incomparable contribution Her Majesty has made to the life of our nation throughout Her reign[".] I know that the House and millions of our fellow citizens will share these sentiments.

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 2

CONFIDENTIAL

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Ashdown and the Speaker have been forewarned of the proposal.

(Sgd.) F. E. R. B.
ROBIN BUTLER

5 February 1992

CONFIDENTIAL

Sir Robin Butler (Secretary to the Cabinet)

There is a hand-drawn checkmark at the top of p. 1 and there have been emendations to draft parliamentary statement. These were presumably the work of John Major.