As the Commonwealth worldwide celebrated the Queen's Golden Jubilee yesterday, Bermudians took a noticeably low-key approach to the Royal gala, questioning the role of the monarchy in general and asking whether Bermuda should remain a British territory in particular.

Local attitudes have ranged from “you can't get rid of the monarchy like you buy a new dress” to “we sing God save the Queen, but what we really mean is God save us”.

Monarchist Joyce Hall believes there is still a need for the monarchy and said: “We've had it continuously since 1066, in Anglo Saxon times. Why shouldn't it be needed?

“You cannot get rid of the monarchy like you buy a new dress.

“Some would rather be a republic” she said, but: “The vast majority of the Country doesn't.”

She said: “As long as Bermuda is an overseas territory, it's a question of whether you really need a break.

“Bermuda was settled by Britain and has been a very fortunate colony and Britain is very much a part of our heritage, history and culture and I hope it always will be.”

Mrs. Hall was in London at the time of the Queen's coronation. She said: “She was anointed when she was crowned in 1952 and the Queen said in a radio address that she will dedicate her life to the Crown.

“She was only 21 in 1952. She has given 100 percent of herself and has been a splendid monarch. We should be very privileged to be a part of it.”

Mrs. Hall went on to list all the things Bermuda has inherited from Britain and said: “We have enjoyed a successful, free life, also a loyal and free Government. We have had freedom of assembly and freedom of speech and it all has come from being a part of Britain.

“Britain is the mother of democracy. All the freedoms we know and enjoy have come because we are British.

“Many places in Europe shed blood to win the freedom that they now enjoy.”

Mrs. Hall added there have been 400 years of close association with Britain and to give up all those freedoms does not make any sense.