Queen's Platinum Jubilee and Africa
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, became the first monarch to complete 70 years of service to the nation in February 2022 having ascended the throne following the death of her father, King George VI. This occasion is to be celebrated as a four day long national festival called the Queen's Platinum Jubilee from 2nd June 2022 to 5th June 2022 to mark the 69th anniversary of her coronation.
The Queen's connections with Africa date back to the day of her accession following the death of her father. The Queen was in Kenya on a Royal visit when the news of her father's death and her immediate accension to the throne were delivered to her. Kenya was a part of the British Empire till its independence in 1963.
Ethiopia is Africa's oldest independent country. Historically, Ethiopia and the United Kingdom have enjoyed rich diplomatic relations covering a range of areas, including, but not limited to, trade, culture, education and development cooperation. After the invasion of Ethiopia by Italians under Mussolini, Emperor Haile Selassie was forced into temporary exile. He found refuge in in Bath at Fairfield House along with his family, closest confidants and entourage. Once the Emperor returned to the throne, the two governments signed an Anglo-Ethiopian agreement wherein it was agreed that Britain would send civil and military advisors to assist with administration and internal security. The terms of this agreement confirmed Ethiopia's status as a sovereign state while the British assumed control over currency and foreign exchange as well as imports and exports. This agreement was later revised with Britain giving up direct control of Ethiopian airport and railway.
Ethiopia is not a member state of the Commonwealth and hence no jubilee celebrations have been officially announced. Send money to Ethiopia so your family may travel to the nearest state and participate in the jubilee celebrations.
Her Majesty was the Queen of Uganda as well as the head of state of Uganda from 1962 to 1963, when the country was an independent constitutional monarchy before being declared a republic within the commonwealth. She has visited the country twice (in 1954 and 2007). The Kazinga National Park, in the west of Uganda, was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1954 to commemorate her visit. Uganda being a commonwealth country, Queen's Jubilee Beacons will be lit on 2nd June in Kampala along with singing of the Commonwealth Song by a choir.
GELILA Money transfer offers quick and easy international money transfer to various locations in Africa. Send money to Uganda so your family can travel to Kampala to witness the celebrations live.
All the Commonwealth countries will be celebrating the Queen's platinum jubilee by lighting beacons and singing the Commonwealth song. Africa has as many as 19 member states in the Commonwealth. Send money to Africa so friends and family there can join the jubilee celebrations nearest to home.